From Power to Pause: Jabeur and Zheng Withdraw from Stuttgart in Surprise Twist

Stuttgart Shock: Ons Jabeur and Qinwen Zheng Pull Out of Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

The 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix suffered a major blow ahead of its opening serve, as two of the tournament’s biggest names — Ons Jabeur and Qinwen Zheng — have officially withdrawn, leaving fans stunned and the draw reshaped.

Stuttgart’s indoor clay courts are usually a hotspot for top-tier talent. As one of the most coveted WTA 500 events, the tournament doesn’t just offer prestige and prize money — the champion also drives home in a brand-new Porsche. It’s no wonder the event regularly attracts the sport’s elite.

While stars like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek remain in the hunt for the title, the absence of Jabeur and Zheng will leave a noticeable void.

Jabeur, a Stuttgart regular and crowd favorite, reached the quarterfinals in 2022 and the semifinals in 2023. Despite a second-round exit last year, she had been expected to make another deep run — until a leg injury forced her to pull out.

Just as fans were digesting that disappointment, more bad news followed. Rising Chinese star Qinwen Zheng also announced her withdrawal, citing exhaustion after a grueling stretch in the United States, which included runs at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

“Following a few long weeks in the US, my body is fatigued and needs some proper rest to recover and get me back to 100%. I had a great time playing in Stuttgart last year and I am sad to miss this year’s tournament, but look very much forward to returning next year,” Zheng said in a statement.

To add to the withdrawals, former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova has also pulled out due to an ongoing back injury.

While the triple blow dampens spirits for fans hoping to see these stars in action, there’s still excitement to come. Slovakian player Rebecca Sramkova has now earned a place in the main draw, giving fresh faces a chance to shine.

The 2025 edition of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix kicks off on April 14th, with Aryna Sabalenka leading the field as the top seed.