Medvedev Withdraws from Rotterdam Due to Fatigue, Foot Issue 

Russia's Daniil Medvedev speaks during a press conference after defeat against Italy's Jannik Sinner during their men's singles final match on day 15 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2024. (AFP)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev speaks during a press conference after defeat against Italy's Jannik Sinner during their men's singles final match on day 15 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Medvedev Withdraws from Rotterdam Due to Fatigue, Foot Issue 

Russia's Daniil Medvedev speaks during a press conference after defeat against Italy's Jannik Sinner during their men's singles final match on day 15 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2024. (AFP)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev speaks during a press conference after defeat against Italy's Jannik Sinner during their men's singles final match on day 15 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2024. (AFP)

Defending champion Daniil Medvedev has pulled out of the Rotterdam Open due to fatigue and a right foot injury, the Russian world number three said.

The 27-year-old, who lost to Italian Jannik Sinner 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the Australian Open final last month, spent a Grand Slam record 24 hours and 17 minutes on court at Melbourne Park.

Medvedev beat Sinner in the Rotterdam final last year.

"Unfortunately, I have to pull out of Rotterdam," the 2021 US Open champion said in a statement on Monday.

"After an incredibly tough and long run in Australia my body (and especially my right foot) is not recovered enough yet to play come and defend my title.

"I love playing in Rotterdam, have a long history with the event, and look forward to coming back in 2025."

World number four Sinner will be the top seed at the hard-court tournament following Medvedev's withdrawal, with Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune and Hubert Hurkacz among the other top-ranked players participating in the ATP 500 event.

The tournament takes place from Feb. 12-18.



Zheng Says Too Much Respect for Sabalenka Hampered her in the Past

Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2025 China's Qinwen Zheng celebrates after winning her quarter final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Yves Herman
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2025 China's Qinwen Zheng celebrates after winning her quarter final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Yves Herman
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Zheng Says Too Much Respect for Sabalenka Hampered her in the Past

Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2025 China's Qinwen Zheng celebrates after winning her quarter final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Yves Herman
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2025 China's Qinwen Zheng celebrates after winning her quarter final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Yves Herman

Zheng Qinwen finally got her first win over Aryna Sabalenka at the seventh attempt to reach the Italian Open semi-finals on Wednesday and the Olympic champion said she had perhaps shown the world number one too much respect in their prior meetings.

The Chinese 22-year-old had gone down tamely in all but one of her previous six encounters with Sabalenka, including in the 2024 Australian Open final, but she delivered a clinical 6-4 6-3 win over the off-color Belarusian in Rome.

The win will come as a huge boost for Zheng as she continues her preparations for the French Open, which begins on May 25.

"The few times I faced her in the beginning, I gave her too much respect," Zheng told reporters, according to Reuters.

"I didn't face her like a normal player. I remember I was going to see her in the 2017 China Open ... My father was saying 'Oh, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand'.

"I think this kind of respect, it takes a while to treat her like a normal player."

Sabalenka had been on a nine-match winning streak on clay but Zheng said she was in her comfort zone on the surface.

"This is the first time we've played on clay," she said.

"I guess when I play on clay, I'm more comfortable because I've got great experience on clay.

"I was more patient. I'm happy with my performance and happy to make the step forward to beat the world number one."

Zheng plays world number three Coco Gauff for a place in the final.