Matthew Muniz
Fans of Columbia tennis watched a slow-burn thriller in May, as history played out on the courts over six days at Oklahoma State University. Michael Zheng CC’26 steadily advanced through five rounds of the NCAA D1 men’s singles tennis championships to become the first Lion ever to reach the finals. Though he missed the national title, it was a three-set nail-biter, including a first-set tiebreaker that Zheng won.
Now midway through his collegiate career, Zheng exists in something of a liminal space. The two-time All-American is a key part of a men’s tennis team that’s been making history in its own right (last spring they reached the NCAA team quarterfinals for the first time). But he’s also finding opportunities to take his solo game to the next level. For the last two summers, he’s played in the qualifying draw of the venerable U.S. Open; in August, he also won his first professional title in a challenger tournament, essentially the minor leagues of tennis.
No surprise, Zheng hopes to eventually turn pro; a native of Montville, N.J., he says his idol is Swiss star Roger Federer. But there’s still lots of Lions tennis to play. Next up, he’ll take another swing at an NCAA crown. Thanks to a change in when the singles championship is scheduled, it’s starting this year on Nov. 19. Zheng recently took time before practice to talk about how he began in the sport, his most meaningful tennis moments and what he likes to do in his (limited!) down time.
How did you first get into tennis?
My dad started me when I was 6, just kind of feeding me the balls. He was big into tennis when he came to the United States from China. When I was 9, I tried out for a program run by the USTA [United States Tennis Association] at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. I was selected with a friend, and we went together from there, [commuting] from New Jersey to New York. It was three days a week during the school year, and then two days a week, I think, during the summer. It was challenging, but it was fun, too.
Do you remember when you recognized for yourself, “Hey, I’m good at this. I really want to pursue it”?
My dad always thought I had the potential to go big [laughs]. But I didn’t start believing until later, after I won my first big indoor national tournament when I was 15 or 16. From there, I was all in. I came to Columbia because I really liked the coach, Howie [Endelman CC’87]. I also knew a lot of the guys during the recruiting process; some of them are from New Jersey, so we’d be talking — I really liked the culture that they built here. Everyone buys into the program and wants to get better, and a lot of the guys want to give professional tennis a shot. That’s the culture I wanted to be part of.
What’s been your most meaningful moment as a tennis player?
When I made Junior Wimbledon finals [in 2022], that was a huge milestone and just kind of unexpected. I mean, to go to the finals of such a prestigious tournament?! It was a surreal experience. And then also, here at Columbia, when we beat Arizona to make the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time. That was last spring, and it was a huge moment for the program. When you’re 3–3 in matches and you’re supporting the last guy out and he wins — it was amazing. There were so many people there, all that energy.
It seems you are at an interesting moment in your career — a collegiate athlete who’s trying for the U.S. Open. What have you learned from your experiences at these elite-level tournaments?
It gives you confidence, because you’re playing against players who have a lot of experience on the tour. Some have been there for years already, and they’re all highly ranked — the top 200, 300 players, and you’re going toe to toe with them. So it gives you a lot of confidence not only on the court but also [to think], ‘I have a shot at doing this professionally.’ It’s also been a good way to improve.
What has been your favorite class so far at Columbia, and why?
I’m actually in a class right now, “Sport and Society in the Americas,” that’s been really interesting. The professor, Frank Guridy, does a great job.
How do you like to take advantage of being in New York City?
It’s so easy to get around! You just take the subway anywhere with your friends. And it’s fun, and there’s a lot to do compared to some other college towns. I don’t have a lot of time to be involved in clubs or to have other commitments. But when I have free time, I like to go out with my friends; maybe we’ll go downtown to eat or do some other activity. I like the food.