BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. China's Zheng Qinwen withdraws from Australian Open
China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen has announced her withdrawal from the Australian Open on January 8, saying she has yet to reach her preferred competitive condition.
Zheng posted a statement on social media, saying the decision was made after careful evaluation by her team and following medical advice.
Although Zheng said her recovery is progressing well and her off-season has gone smoothly, she added that competing in a Grand Slam requires players to be in "extreme competitive condition".
"Currently, I have not yet reached my best condition that I have set for myself," she explained.
2. Former short track speed skating Olympic champion Wu Dajing announces retirement
Wu Dajing, Chinese Olympic champion in short track speed skating, announced his retirement on January 6, opting for a low-key farewell without a ceremony.
The 31-year-old won Olympic gold in the men's 500 meters at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, China's sole gold medal at the Games, and helped China claim gold in the mixed 2,000m relay at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Wu said he considered retiring after Beijing 2022 but chose to continue because of his love for short track skating. He made few appearances in international competition afterward, and his last domestic competition came at the 14th National Winter Games in 2024. He also considered transitioning to speed skating.
Wu posted on Weibo, saying he would no longer cling to the obsession of "one more fight".
"When the word 'retired' was spoken, there were no regrets, only tranquility," he said.
3. Zhou Guanyu confirmed as F1 Cadillac reserve for 2026
China's Zhou Guanyu has been confirmed as a reserve driver for Cadillac ahead of its debut Formula One season in 2026, the team announced on January 5.
Zhou, 26, joins a Cadillac lineup led by race drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, with Colton Herta serving as a test driver while competing in Formula 2 this season. The American-backed team will enter F1 in 2026 using Ferrari power units and gearboxes.
Shanghai-born Zhou brings recent F1 experience and familiarity with both Bottas and Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon. Zhou raced alongside Bottas during his three seasons with Alfa Romeo and its successor team Sauber from 2022 to 2024, while Lowdon's company Equals Management has overseen Zhou's career.
Zhou made history in 2022 as China's first Formula 1 race driver. He competed in 68 grands prix, scoring points on three occasions in both 2022 and 2023, and recorded Sauber's only points finish of 2024 at the Qatar Grand Prix.
4. Fan Zhendong captures table tennis German Cup title
Chinese table tennis star Fan Zhendong claimed his first overseas club title after leading 1. FC Saarbrucken Tischtennis to a 3-1 victory over TTC RhonSprudel Fulda-Maberzell in the German Cup final in Neu-Ulm on January 4.
Fan earned Saarbrucken the lead with a 3-0 win over Dimitrij Ovtcharov. After captain Patrick Franziska lost to Ruwen Filus 3-2, Saarbrucken regained its lead with Darko Jorgic sweeping Meng Fanbo 3-0, and Fan sealed the title with a 3-0 win over Filus.
Earlier in the day, Saarbrucken defeated TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen 3-1 in the semifinals, with Fan prevailing 3-1 over Tiago Abiodun and Shunsuke Togami, respectively.
"I'm very happy to be here and compete with strong players of different teams, that's a great feeling for me. I can feel the great enthusiasm for the sport and respect for the players. I'm really enjoying it, and I'm looking forward to every game," said Fan.
5. Shi Yuqi leads Chinese shuttlers to advance into Malaysia Open 2026 semi-finals
Chinese shuttlers kept their momentum during the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open 2026 on January 9, advancing ever closer to the title in several categories.
World No. 1 Shi Yuqi easily overpowered Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong, China 21-10, 21-7 in a fast-paced 30-minute quarterfinals at the Axiata Arena.
Meanwhile, four-time World Championships medalist Anders Antonsen of Denmark outmatched Japan's Nishimoto Kenta 21-9, 21-12.
Women's singles player Chen Yufei knocked out Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-13, 21-14, while her teammate Wang Zhiyi overcame Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-17, 21-18 in a drawn-out match.■
