Qinwen Zheng confirmed she will not compete at the forthcoming United Cup, with the world number five focusing on recovery ahead of the 2025 season.

The reigning Olympic champion enjoyed a memorable 2024 campaign, in which she also triumphed in Palermo and Tokyo.

Zheng was also runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open, and Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

The 22-year-old was due to feature at the United Cup, after helping China reach the quarter-finals at last year's event.

However, she has opted to focus her efforts on sharpening her game ahead of the season's first major at the Australian Open.

"After the long season that 2024 was for me, I need a few extra weeks of rest, recovery and good training to get ready for the new season," she wrote on her Instagram story.

"I had such a fantastic time at the United Cup in January of this year, and therefore will miss the event greatly. Still, I'm so excited to be back in Australia soon, and I will see you all in Melbourne in a couple of weeks."

World number 145 Gao Xinyu will be the top-ranked female player for Team China, who will play reigning champions Germany and Brazil in Group E.

Zheng Qinwen#WTAAwards pic.twitter.com/IIkXY2j4hA

— wta (@WTA) December 19, 2024