Zheng Qinwen withdraws from Stuttgart Open due to injury

China's Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from next week's WTA 500 event in Stuttgart due to injury, the tournament organizers announced on Wednesday.

Zheng Qinwen hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the 2024 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Zheng's withdrawal means her clay-court debut of the 2026 season will be delayed. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, currently ranked world No. 46, will replace her in the main draw.

In a statement, the Stuttgart Open said: "We wish Qinwen a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the court in Stuttgart very soon."

Zheng's most recent tournament appearance came at the WTA 1000 Miami Open in March, where she lost 6-3, 6-4 to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the fourth round and missed out on a place in the quarterfinals.