Zheng Qinwen Set for Long-Awaited Return at Doha WTA 1000
Zheng Qinwen is finally back. After months of uncertainty and a frustrating road to recovery, the 2024 Australian Open finalist is officially set to return to the WTA Tour at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha, marking her first full tournament appearance since undergoing elbow surgery last summer.
It’s been a tough stretch for the Chinese star. Following arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow in July, Zheng’s time on court has been minimal.
She attempted a brief comeback at the Beijing tournament in late September, managing to complete just one match before retiring in the third set of her second outing. That false start underscored just how delicate the recovery process can be-even for a player of her caliber.
Zheng had initially circled the 2026 Australian Open as the ideal stage for her full return. But after competing in just one event during the second half of 2025, it became clear that timeline was too aggressive. She also entered the Abu Dhabi tournament this week, only to withdraw at the last moment-another sign that she and her team are prioritizing long-term health over short-term headlines.
Now, the Doha event, running February 8-14, will serve as her official restart. And the draw didn’t do her any favors.
Standing across the net in the first round will be Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion. These two have met once before, with Zheng coming out on top in straight sets en route to her Tokyo title in 2024.
But with Zheng still finding her footing and Kenin always capable of catching fire, this is no soft landing.
There’s also the matter of Zheng’s ranking. A former world No. 4, she’s now slipped outside the Top 25 due to her extended absence.
That drop means fewer favorable draws and a tougher path back to the top. But for now, the focus isn’t on rankings or trophies-it’s on rhythm, reps, and staying healthy.
Off the court, Zheng’s star power hasn’t dimmed. Her recent appointment as a global brand ambassador for Turkish Airlines is a testament to her continued marketability and global appeal, even during a year when she was largely sidelined.
Throughout her recovery, Zheng has emphasized patience. When she withdrew from the Australian Open, she made it clear: while her rehab was progressing, pushing to return for a Grand Slam didn’t align with her long-term goals.
She and her medical team agreed-if she wasn’t at 100%, she wasn’t going to risk it. That mindset has shaped her entire comeback strategy.
Doha hasn’t historically been a stronghold for Zheng-she’s never made it past the third round in three previous appearances. But this time, the goal isn’t necessarily a deep run. It’s about getting back into match shape, testing her body under real conditions, and building trust in her movement and strokes again.
If she can get through the week without setbacks, it’ll be a major win-regardless of how far she goes in the draw. For Zheng Qinwen, Doha isn’t just a tournament. It’s the first real step toward reclaiming her place among the game’s elite.