Michael Zheng: Balancing Ivy League Studies and a Rising Tennis Career

Michael Zheng, a 21-year-old senior at Columbia University in New York, is currently juggling a demanding academic schedule with a burgeoning professional tennis career. While preparing to return to five courses this spring semester, Zheng is making headlines at the Australian Open, competing in a major main draw for the first time.

“Right now, I’m really excited,” Zheng, a qualifier, told ATPTour.com. “And relieved to get through that and get the chance to play my first main draw.” This achievement is particularly remarkable considering that just a year ago, Zheng was outside the Top 700 in the PIF ATP Rankings, despite being the reigning NCAA men’s singles champion.

A Unique Path to Professional Tennis

Zheng’s journey is a testament to his ability to balance rigorous academics – earning Academic All-American honours and the Rafael Osuna National Sportsmanship Award – with the demands of high-level tennis. His father, Joe, introduced Michael and his sister, Amy, to the sport, instilling a passion that has driven Zheng to excel.

Growing up in New Jersey, Zheng honed his skills at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and later reached the 2022 Wimbledon boys’ singles final. “I had some talent, so he wanted to see how far he could take it,” Zheng said of his father. “And now we’re here playing my first main draw [of a major]. It’s been quite a tournament.”

The Power of Academic Rigour

What sets Zheng apart is his commitment to education alongside his athletic pursuits. Columbia’s head coach, Howard Endelman, believes the academic rigour has been instrumental in Zheng’s development. “The schoolwork is complementary; It allows Michael to focus and develop aspects of his life outside of tennis. Although it might be counter-intuitive, this combination has helped Michael develop as a complete person which has actually helped his tennis.”

Zheng echoes this sentiment, explaining, “You learn how to manage your time and in the pressure moments, I think you can manage a little bit better, because you put all that work in and at the same time, you’re balancing school. I think it just gives you that little bit of a mental edge, that you’re doing maybe a little bit more than these other guys, and at the same time, your level is there.”

A Recent Surge in Rankings

Zheng’s recent success isn’t just about balancing school and tennis; it’s about a significant climb in the rankings. In early June, he was outside the Top 700. However, a string of victories, including titles in Little Rock, Chicago, Columbus, and Tiburon, propelled him forward. Endelman highlights Zheng’s dedication: “Right after winning the Tiburon Challenger final in October, Michael took a Sunday night red-eye flight so he could take an in-person exam Monday morning in New York City. He just takes it all in stride.”

Psychology and the Mental Game

Currently majoring in Psychology, Zheng finds the subject interesting, though he doesn’t necessarily see a direct correlation to his performance on the court. He approaches his studies strategically, choosing courses that allow him to maintain balance while travelling and competing. “I’m travelling, missing quite a bit of class, so I’m not going to do anything too crazy, like neuroscience, biology or something like that,” he explains.

Composure Under Pressure

Zheng’s composure under pressure is a defining characteristic. Even facing a match point in the final-set tie-break of qualifying against Lukas Klein, he remained calm and secured the victory with an ace. “Nothing seems to bother Michael — on or off the court — especially when things go wrong,” Endelman observes. “Michael lost the lead after being up 7/1 and 9/7 in the final-set tiebreaker, then all of a sudden was serving down 9/10. With no emotion, he calmly goes up to the line and saves match point with an ace wide.”

Looking Ahead

While his future is bright, Zheng remains focused on the present. Currently ranked No. 174, he’s prioritizing his tennis career. “I’m not thinking too longterm right now,” Zheng said. “I’m just focussing on seeing how far I can take the tennis and giving 100 per cent focus on that at least.”

Learn more about the ATP Tour and follow Michael Zheng’s journey.