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Why are Zheng Qinwen, Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur not playing at 2025 US Open?

Originally posted on TennisUpToDate.com | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 10:07 AM ET

While the majority of top names are involved at the US Open, there are a few who aren't in the women's draw with Ons Jabeur, Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa among the withdrawals albeit unlike previous years it is few and far between.

But why are Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa in particular who are top 10 seeds not involved in New York and when will they be back in action this season?

Zheng Qinwen - out due to elbow surgery

The 2024 Olympic singles champion revealed that she has been handling an elbow injury for some time, which culminated in a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon. Not wanting to persist with the pain, the 22-year-old took the sensible choice of having arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow. She is estimated to be out for two-three months.

"I want to share a quick update with you all. Over the past months, I’ve been dealing with persistent pain in my right elbow during training and matches. Despite trying various treatments to manage it, the discomfort never fully went away. After consulting with elbow specialists and discussing thoroughly with my team, we decided that arthroscopic surgery was the best option to fully resolve the issue," she wrote on Instagram.

"Yesterday, I underwent the procedure successfully, and I’m grateful to have it behind me.Now begins the recovery journey. Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be focusing entirely on rehab—doing everything I can to come back stronger and healthier.This is just a short break, and I see it as a necessary step toward a better version of myself on court. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. I can’t wait to be back—see you soon!"

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A post shared by Zheng Qinwen (@zhengqinwen_tennis)

Paula Badosa - out due to back injury

The Spaniard's career has been plagued by injuries, preventing her from competing consistently with the best players in the world. The former number two in the world has been playing through lower back pains, deriving from a tear in the psoas muscle at Wimbledon. She has been forced to retire from multiple tournaments this year, and has taken the agonising decision to skip the final major of the year. She should return to the court within the next few weeks.

"I wasn't built by easy days. I was shaped by the moments that broke me, the choices that didn't go as planned, and the times I fell short of who I wanted to be. My setbacks weren't signs that I was weak; they were necessary chapters in a story that's still being written," she wrote on X.

"Failure taught me what success never could. It humbled me. It forced me to look inward, to ask hard questions, to rebuild with more intention and clarity. Every mistake I made sharpened my understanding of who I am and who I'm not. And while I once feared those mistakes, I now see them as some of my greatest teachers.

"There were times I thought I'd lost everything, my direction, my confidence, my sense of worth. But looking back, I realise I was only losing what no longer served me. Every loss gave space for growth. Every closed door redirected me toward a better one.

"I'm not proud of every moment in my past, but I am proud of the person those moments created. The human I am today is more resilient, more aware, and more grounded because of everything I've survived and learned. I don't run from failure anymore. I respect it because it's the reason I stand here… Stronger, wiser, and still becoming."

I’m not announcing anything lol.
Just like to express myself and share it… pic.twitter.com/ksH8nfA6Tq
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) August 8, 2025

Ons Jabeur - taking step back from tennis

The three-time Grand Slam finalist has had a miserable time recently. Tumbling down the rankings after a period of barren results and injury woes, the 30-year-old exclaimed she has not felt 'truly happy' on the court for some time, citing a break while she focuses on herself for a bit.

“For the past two years, I’ve been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries, and facing many other challenges. But deep down, I haven’t truly felt happy on the court for some time now," she wrote on Instagram.

"Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now, I feel it’s time to take a step back and finally put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living. Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always. Even while I’m away from the court, I’ll continue to stay close and connected in different ways, and share this journey with you.”