Professional tennis player Renata Zarazua has issued a stark warning about the power of the Australian sun after sharing graphic images of severe sunburn sustained during tournament preparations.
A Painful Reminder from Down Under
The world number 80 took to Instagram to reveal the painful-looking results of sun exposure while competing at the Hobart International in Tasmania. The Mexican athlete, who is preparing for next week's Australian Open, posted a picture of her back showing multiple, sore-looking burns across her shoulders.
She captioned the image with a clear message: 'The Australian sun is no joke.' While temperatures in Tasmania have been a moderate 26°C recently, the UV index has soared to between eight and 11, which is classified as 'very high' and poses a significant risk of skin damage.
On-Court Success Amidst the Heat
Despite the harsh conditions, Zarazua has shown impressive form on the court. She advanced through the qualifiers in Hobart, first defeating Hiroko Kuwata in straight sets on Saturday, then besting Simona Waltert 6-4, 6-3.
In a hard-fought match to reach the round of 16, she was taken the distance by American Hailey Baptiste. After losing a first-set tiebreak, Zarazua rallied to secure her spot. She is now set to face 18-year-old American Iva Jovic in her next match.
Looking Ahead to Melbourne and a Stellar 2025
Next week marks Zarazua's third appearance at the Australian Open. Her best run came last year when she reached the second round of the Women’s singles before being knocked out by fourth seed Jasmine Paolini.
The 28-year-old capped off a remarkable 2025 season by winning the Austin 125 in November, earning A$22,454 in prize money. This victory followed her triumph at the WTT W100 in Georgia in October, where she defeated Aussie duo Olivia Gadecki and Emerson Jones.
Perhaps her most significant win of the year came at the US Open, where she stunned defending Australian Open champion Maddison Keys. This made her the first Mexican tennis player to beat a top-10 seed since 1995.
In a surprising revelation after that match, Zarazua admitted she nearly didn't take to the court due to overwhelming nerves. 'I woke up, and I just had the urge to cry,' she said. 'It was almost like I was afraid of taking the court... I spoke to my mum... She said, 'You have to be the professional that you are.'' Heeding that advice, she overcame her fear to secure a historic victory.
Zarazua's painful sunburn serves as a potent reminder for athletes and spectators alike about the critical importance of sun protection, especially under the intense Australian sky.
