Wuhan Open Withdrawals: Zheng Qinwen Joins List of 15 Defections Including Grand Slam Champions

The 2026 Wuhan Open has faced significant withdrawals, with prominent players, including Zheng Qinwen, opting out of the tournament. Zheng, who recently clinched her first WTA 1000 title at the China Open in Beijing, announced her decision to withdraw shortly after her victory. In her statement, she expressed regret, highlighting her connection to Wuhan as the place where her tennis journey began and where she achieved her WTA 1000 breakthrough.

Zheng cited fatigue after a demanding series of matches, including her participation in the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the China Open. After recently reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open and winning the China Open, she had moved back into the top 30 of the WTA Rankings.

Alongside Zheng, Mirra Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion and current world No. 3, has also withdrawn due to fatigue following her recent run to the final in Beijing. Additionally, Linda Noskova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, withdrew due to a calf injury.

These withdrawals prompted adjustments in the tournament draw. Andreeva was initially seeded third and had received a bye into the second round; now, she will be replaced by Iva Jovic. Newly seeded Belinda Bencic, who takes Noskova’s place, will also receive a bye into the next round.

The full list of notable withdrawals from the Wuhan Open includes:

- Elena Rybakina (world No. 1) → replaced by Liudmila Samsonova

- Mirra Andreeva (world No. 3) → replaced by Anna Bondar

- Coco Gauff (world No. 5) → replaced by Kimberly Birrell

- Linda Noskova (world No. 8) → replaced by Magdalena Frech

- Victoria Mboko (world No. 15) → replaced by Cristina Bucșa

- Amanda Anisimova (world No. 17) → replaced by Anhelina Kalinina

- Naomi Osaka (world No. 18) → replaced by Katie Boulter

- Madison Keys (world No. 20) → replaced by Lilli Tagger

- Zheng Qinwen (world No. 23) → replaced by Camila Osorio

- Anastasia Potapova (world No. 26) → replaced by Janice Tjen

- Emma Navarro (world No. 27) → replaced by Tamara Korpatsch

- Hailey Baptiste (world No. 45) → replaced by Mayar Sherif

- Barbora Krejcikova (world No. 46) → replaced by Zheng Qinwen

- Karolina Pliskova (world No. 49) → replaced by Mayar Sherif

- Oleksandra Oliynykova (world No. 51) → replaced by Lanlana Tararudee

The tournament will undoubtedly miss key players like world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, who is sidelined with a foot injury, and defending champion Coco Gauff, who chose not to compete following her recent exit from the China Open.