\u2014 Columbia Men\u2019s Tennis (@CULionsMTEN) November 24, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n In our discussion, he spoke about the process behind finding their weakness. It\u2019s methodical, more than all guns blazing. Indeed, there are shades of the effortless veneer that Roger Federer mastered. Carefully crafted points that allow opponents to run themselves ragged before landing the killer blow. <\/p>\n While Michael stops short of deploying the famed single-handed backhand of Federer, the sublime Swiss legend who amassed 20 Grand Slam singles title, the Columbia youngster incorporates other elements of Federer\u2019s game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe [Federer] just looks so effortless, the attacking game style. It\u2019s just fun to watch,\u201d Zheng said. \u201cI try and get the serve and forehand like him and then try play some all-court tennis.\u201d<\/p>\n Twenty-two years have passed since an American male tennis player last won a Grand Slam singles title. The drought has attained a perplexing status, as U.S. talent elsewhere found fertile ground. <\/p>\n The Bryan brothers dominated men\u2019s doubles, and the Williams sisters catapulted to prominence. Meanwhile, the male Big Three took control, drying up opportunities for others and trapping U.S. hopefuls in an arid desert of unfulfilled aspiration.<\/p>\n Mike and Bob Bryan after the final of the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. \/ Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n However, the narrative is no longer driven by confusion and dismay, as a coterie of exciting homegrown talents \u2013 namely Taylor Fritz (World No. 4), Ben Shelton (No. 7), Francis Tiafoe (No. 12), and Tommy Paul (No. 15) \u2013 illuminate the national landscape. Seven American names currently feature in the top 50 of the official ATP world rankings. <\/p>\n While the new generation is far from finished, the next batch of potential stars is looking to ride this waveof rejuvenated enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Bolting from this emerging cohort will require seizing key opportunities. Michael can count himself unfortunate that he\u2019s preparing for his 3rd successive entry into the U.S. Open qualifying draw and not skipping ahead this time around. <\/p>\n Previous NCAA champions entered the main draw as a wildcard before the rules were altered last year. Another chance to bypass qualifying came through the American Collegiate Wildcard Playoff, but he was defeated in the final back in June. <\/p>\n A consequence of moving the NCAA singles tournament to the fall…<\/p>\n Michael Zheng earns the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first American men’s NCAA singles champion to not earn a US Open main draw wild card.<\/p>\n \u2014 John (@JTweetsTennis) June 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing I can do about it, so you kind of just accept it and move on,\u201d said Zheng.<\/p>\n Looking back on his NCAA title, Endelman said, \u201cFor Michael and his entire family, that was a culmination of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.\u201d Endelman is also Director of Tennis Operations at Columbia, in addition to his head coach role. He\u2019s known Michael since the recruiting process out of high school.<\/p>\n Shelton – the current Australian Open semi-finalist – won the same competition in 2022, a springboard for his fledgling career. Michael\u2019s victory meant he became the first Ivy League champion since 1922, adding this accolade to a Wimbledon Boys\u2019 Singles runner-up finish. He\u2019s also spearheaded impressive performances from the Columbia Lions roster, who have achieved consecutive quarter-final finishes at the last two Division I team national championships.<\/p>\n \u201cIt gives you that confidence, playing in a team and for something bigger than yourself,\u201d Zheng added.<\/p>\n As the resum\u00e9 flourishes, talk about potential is bound to follow. Michael\u2019s parents \u2013 Joe and Mei \u2013 grew up in China, meeting as middle school classmates. After moving to the U.S. in 1998, they settled in Montville, New Jersey, working as IT professionals. <\/p>\n His father pushed him to play multiple sports, but tennis quickly appeared a natural fit. After Michael, aged 10 at the time, enrolled in an elite program at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (the site of the U.S. Open), the sport was officially the chosen one.<\/p>\n Joe said, \u201cThere\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t be successful here.\u201d<\/p>\n The senior male Zheng, while still at university in China, remembers reading about 17-year-old Michael Chang\u2019s win at the French Open back in the late 1980s. Chang is another New Jersey product, and also the son of East Asian migrants to the U.S. <\/p>\n Drawing parallels from him to Michael, although embryonic, is hard to resist. It\u2019s made even harder by Joe naming \u201cMichael\u201d in a nod to Chang himself (and Jordan). The dangling carrot of destiny is never far away.<\/p>\n As Michael approaches the last year of his studies and a new chapter beckons, there is confidence in the foundations he has laid.<\/p>\n The Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family Tennis Center is tucked away within a peaceful neighborhood at the upper tip of Manhattan. When arriving at the Baker Athletics Complex \u2013 Columbia\u2019s sporting hub \u2013 follow the outside perimeter until it opens to reveal the mouth of the Harlem River releasing into the Hudson. <\/p>\n The archetypal tennis bubble facility, with pristine and shiny interior, sits on the waterfront. About twenty paces inside, a wall of glass panels partitions you and the courts.<\/p>\n Zheng came to Columbia in 2022, now majoring in Psychology. While Shelton pursued college online following his NCAA title, Zheng is committed to finishing his studies in-person.<\/p>\n Ben Shelton celebrates during the 2025 Tennis Herren Mexican Open. \/ IMAGO \/ Xinhua<\/p>\n \u201cSchool is a huge part of why I chose Columbia,\u201d Zheng said.<\/p>\n Recalling the assurances the family sought from Columbia, his father added, \u201cAlways school first. Do not treat athletes differently like a sports powerhouse school. Before we come, we know you have to do well academically.\u201d<\/p>\n The merits of the college route are hotly debated. The experience acts as a bridge to the professional world, but many youngsters jump in the deep end immediately. However, the college pipeline appears increasingly popular<\/a> \u2013 even among non-Americans. <\/p>\n Cameron Norrie, the British former Wimbledon semi-finalist, left the UK to enroll at Texas Christian University in 2014. Another British talent, Jacob Fearnley, recently shot up the world rankings after studying at the same institution.<\/p>\n Jacob Fearnley during the 2025 National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium. \/ Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Prodigies in Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner may have started dominating, but studies<\/a> indicate the average age of the top 100 ATP-ranked players is trending upwards. With seemingly less urgency to turn pro, the opportunity to evolve through college \u2013 on and off the court \u2013 has become more appealing.<\/p>\n Endelman said, \u201cSince he\u2019s [Michael\u2019s] been at Columbia, his development as a person has been as much, if not even more, than as a tennis player.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael divides his time between the Upper West Side campus and the tennis center. Training six days a week, alongside some of his closest friends, is standard practice (he generally gets Sunday off). <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve seen more and more when people go pro from college, they have such a rapid rise,\u201d Michael observed. <\/p>\n Coaches must innovate to prevent regular sessions from turning stale. One four-hour-long April practice saw Endelman simulate raucous crowd noise over the speakers, putting Michael and his teammates into the hostile conditions professionals can face. Like any young athlete, Michael has sought to replicate these top-tier players.<\/p>\n Joe recalled one moment in Michael\u2019s youth, saying, \u201cI always wanted him to play like Roger Federer. One day, the coaches said he would play more like Andy Murray. I went, no, no! I want him to play like Federer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike many exceptional athletes, they make it look easy and like something they were born with,\u201d said Adrian Contreras, who coached Michael for several years in New Jersey before college. <\/p>\n Nevertheless, the appearance of effortlessness belies the sacrifice. Michael\u2019s parents estimate they have spent around $500,000<\/a> on his tennis development. The costs of youth tennis are currently in the spotlight, after the NCAA faced legal action from tennis players<\/a> over prize money restrictions.<\/p>\n Securing a place on the coveted USTA National Tennis Center program as a child was undeniably a lifeline, but realizing the benefits was anything but a sure thing. As a New Jersey resident, he lived over two hours away on public transportation. <\/p>\n Michael Zheng grew up going to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. \/ Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good opportunity to have but how can we make it happen? We didn\u2019t have the time or money,\u201d Joe recalled.<\/p>\n The first leg of the journey got Michael to Port Authority. Then, to traverse New York City and get over to Queens, there were two more subway trains, and occasionally even a bus. Quite the commute for someone just entering middle school.<\/p>\n Yet, there were minimal complaints. If any at all.<\/p>\n \u201cHe never says no. No matter how hard it is. He always just does what he is asked to do,\u201d Joe said. Converting his talent into success required buying into the process. In scarcely even questioning that process, he went the extra mile.<\/p>\n This is the common depiction of Michael. Someone who refuses to make a fuss and proceeds unperturbed by setbacks.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got the ability to move on from losses. He has this ultra superpower. It\u2019s like no match is too important,\u201d said Contreras. Since losing back-to-back NCAA singles matches in March, he won 9 matches on the bounce. <\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t put a lot of pressure on himself,\u201d said Nicolas Kotzen, a fellow Lions player and Michael\u2019s college roommate throughout their time at Columbia. Kotzen has played tennis with Michael since they were 10 years old, living nearby in New Jersey. Their families are also close-knit, with Kotzen\u2019s older and younger brothers also featuring for the Lions.<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s playing career is often characterized as one of sustained improvements, without fireworks or boom and bust cycles. Highs and lows are unavoidable, but in quietly going about his business, the trajectory seems steady – scaling new heights while avoiding volatile spells.<\/p>\n This evolution reflects his personal qualities. Willingness to comply with direction, reluctance to create hysteria, and a capacity to stay the course indicate a composed and stable temperament. Someone not prone to generating crises, but a grounded operator focused on the upcoming challenge. <\/p>\n \u201cSuccess is no accident,\u201d his father noted.<\/p>\n The younger years saw Joe tasked with taking Michael to tournaments and practices, while Mei focused on the competitive dance ambitions of Michael\u2019s older sister until she reached college. Since then, Michael\u2019s mother has been increasingly engaged with his tennis. Attend any home Columbia fixture and both parents will be in attendance. <\/p>\n Tennis has a deep and sometimes infamous tradition of adult family member-player relations.\u00a0 Families are uniquely engaged<\/a> in the development process and even professional careers. Think King Richard. Or Rafael Nadal\u2019s phenomenal partnership with Uncle Toni. Sofia Kenin even won the 2021 Australian Open singles title with her dad as coach.<\/p>\n The influence of tennis families can be partially explained by the sport\u2019s individualized nature. Without teams or collective organizations, navigating complex junior structures requires administrative initiative from adults.<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s commitments expose the convoluted ecosystem underlying the professional game, even after success as a junior. There\u2019s NCAA tournaments and qualifying tournaments for Grand Slams. <\/p>\n Then, he also plays in ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournaments – the base of the pro tennis circuit. Accruing ITF ranking points allows players more opportunities on the ATP Challenger Tour, which sits below the zenith of professional tennis \u2013 the ATP Tour. <\/p>\n Some ITF tournaments directly give players ATP ranking points, whereas others do not. Within each tour, events are often divided into tiered categories.<\/p>\n Michael Zheng of \u2066@CULionsMTEN<\/a>\u2069 (who earned his first ATP point at our \u2066@VeroFutures<\/a>\u2069) beats Aidan Kim 75 62 to advance to the \u2066@usta<\/a>\u2069 collegiate @usopen<\/a> wild card men\u2019s final at Lake Nona pic.twitter.com\/4xXPRmMPA1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) June 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n While letting coaches call the shots (literally), Joe\u2019s fingerprints are most observable in Michael\u2019s mentality.<\/p>\n \u201cEarly on, we made some ground rules that you can\u2019t cross. This game is frustrating; you witness so many kids throw tantrums and break rackets. We laid down some ground rules – you never break a racket or look at me during the match,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n Even now, this agreement endures. During matches, Michael is measured and calm, as well as noticeably less vociferous than fellow Lions players. More engaged onlookers know he is not a major grunter, even during longer rallies. No penchant for the performative.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gets more animated in practice to try annoy us,\u201d said teammate Max Westphal \u2013 a Columbia senior and former doubles partner. \u201cWhen it gets to something serious, he puts the mask on.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite originally laying down the law, Joe does not want any plaudits. He heaps praise upon Michael\u2019s ability to grow independently and internalize instruction. One key mantra he passed down was that it was Michael\u2019s own process.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter how well or badly you play, don\u2019t look at me. You don\u2019t play for me,\u201d Joe said. He couldn\u2019t resist another Murray-Federer comparison, saying he told Michael to aspire to the latter\u2019s cooler disposition.<\/p>\n The outwardly relaxed posture conceals an inner competitiveness. Like the effortlessness belied the sacrifice, the composure covers up the internal drive.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a quiet assassin in my eyes. The most competitive guy I know,\u201d Kotzen said.<\/p>\n One night in their college dorm, Kotzen and Zheng found themselves locked in a friendly game of Connect4. After a few losses, Kotzen announced he was off to bed. This didn\u2019t sit right with Michael, who apparently could not wrap his head around Nick just rolling over and accepting defeat. How could one simply check out without pushing their hardest for victory?<\/p>\n Come 2026, college will be over. Michael\u2019s Columbia and Ivy League legacy is already secure before he takes off towards the professional circuit. Junior appearances at three of the four Grand Slams (bar the Australian Open) have whetted the appetite to return to the showpiece events. The U.S. Open, a tournament where Michael glowingly mentions the local support, later this month, represents the next opportunity.<\/p>\n Even beyond his childhood training at the facility, the tournament is historically significant to Michael. In his early years, Joe frequently took him the warm-up week preceding the event, where Michael once even got Andy Murray\u2019s autograph. Joe\u2019s skepticism of the Scot becomes even harder to comprehend.<\/p>\n No fear from Michael Zheng \ud83d\ude45<\/p>\n The 21 year old breezes past No. 3 seed Evans 6-1, 6-3 to qualify for his third Challenger quarterfinal of the season!#ATPChallenger<\/a> | @usta<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/N5BdkkVC4g<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, Murray is a very talented and nice guy,\u201d Joe chuckled.<\/p>\n Predicting whether any player will make it is a fool\u2019s game. Fundamentally, you can only get your own affairs in order \u2013 a dogma Endelman cherishes. The head coach emphasizes the phrase – \u201ccontrol what you can control.\u201d<\/p>\n As best he could, Michael has seemingly assembled the building blocks. He accepts an established spot in the pro game remains someway off, but the confidence to make the jump exists.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s now realized how good he could be,\u201d said Westphal. <\/p>\n \u201cThe top level of the college players is just as good as the top level of any pro out there. It\u2019s just can you bring that level week in, week out,\u201d Michael observed.<\/p>\n On top of more individual successes, a team NCAA championship would be a treasured accomplishment ahead of the college endgame. This next phase will need more doors to be opened. It would be surprising if Michael beats these down with brute force. <\/p>\n It\u2019s not really his modus operandi. He\u2019ll most likely stick to what he does best. Perseverance with the meticulous style, easy-going attitude, and controlled temperament will help unpick the locks instead. <\/p>\n Endelman said, \u201cHe\u2019s seen what these other guys have been able to do. At a certain point, you\u2019ve got to look in the mirror and say why can\u2019t that be me?\u201d<\/p>\n Emma Raducanu hires Rafael Nadal’s former coach.<\/a><\/p>\n Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Cincinnati Open.<\/a><\/p>\n Watch Ben Shelton’s heated exchange with Flavio Cobolli in Toronto.<\/a><\/p>\n Victoria Mboko stuns Coco Gauff in Montreal.<\/a><\/p>\n WTA Montreal Highlights: hugs, fire alarms, and friendship bracelets<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n