Zheng Captures Historic Fourth All-American Honors
11/19/2025 1:17:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Zheng becomes Ivy League’s first four-time All-American in men’s tennis
ORLANDO, Fla. – Columbia men's tennis senior Michael Zheng achieved another historic milestone on Wednesday, becoming the first four-time All-American in Ivy League men's tennis history, after defeating Texas's Sebastian Eriksson 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 32 at the 2025 NCAA Men's Singles National Championships.
"It definitely feels good," Zheng said, "This is something that has been on the back of my mind since earning All-American honors my freshman year."
Zheng opened up the 2025 tournament with an impressive 6-4, 6-2 win over South Florida's Hugo Car. Car jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set, but Zheng broke Car's serve to make it 3-1 and went on to win 10 of the last 13 games.
On Wednesday morning, Zheng squared off against Texas's sophomore Sebastian Eriksson in the round of 32. For the second consecutive match, Zheng's opponent won the opening game, putting the senior on the defensive.
"I think in both matches I came out slightly nervous and was slightly underplaying throughout the match," Zheng said when discussing his first two rounds. "Both days, I found my footing and the level picked up, and I was able to build some momentum."
Both Zheng and Eriksson held serve early in the first set, with Zheng tying it up at 3-3. That is where the Columbia senior, playing in his 17th career NCAA singles match, took control. Zheng broke Eriksson's serve to go up 4-3 and closed out the first set, winning 6-3. After falling behind 2-0 in the second set, Zheng once again regained the momentum to win the set and the match 6-3.
"I'm just happy to get through the round of 16 and just take it one match at a time," Zheng said when asked about his mindset moving forward.
After securing his unprecedented fourth All-American honors, Zheng now boasts an impressive list of accomplishments. The reigning NCAA Singles Champion was also named the ITA National Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award recipient in 2025; he was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023 and '25 and is a three-time First Team All-Ivy Singles honoree and CSC Academic All-American.
"We are all so proud of Michael," Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis Howard Endelman said. "He represents our wonderful institution with class, competitiveness, humility and respect. Michael has matured so much - both on and off the tennis court."
Zheng returns to action for the round of 16 on November 20 when he takes on Clemson's Romain Gales. First serve will be determined on Wednesday evening.
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"It definitely feels good," Zheng said, "This is something that has been on the back of my mind since earning All-American honors my freshman year."
Zheng opened up the 2025 tournament with an impressive 6-4, 6-2 win over South Florida's Hugo Car. Car jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set, but Zheng broke Car's serve to make it 3-1 and went on to win 10 of the last 13 games.
On Wednesday morning, Zheng squared off against Texas's sophomore Sebastian Eriksson in the round of 32. For the second consecutive match, Zheng's opponent won the opening game, putting the senior on the defensive.
"I think in both matches I came out slightly nervous and was slightly underplaying throughout the match," Zheng said when discussing his first two rounds. "Both days, I found my footing and the level picked up, and I was able to build some momentum."
Both Zheng and Eriksson held serve early in the first set, with Zheng tying it up at 3-3. That is where the Columbia senior, playing in his 17th career NCAA singles match, took control. Zheng broke Eriksson's serve to go up 4-3 and closed out the first set, winning 6-3. After falling behind 2-0 in the second set, Zheng once again regained the momentum to win the set and the match 6-3.
"I'm just happy to get through the round of 16 and just take it one match at a time," Zheng said when asked about his mindset moving forward.
After securing his unprecedented fourth All-American honors, Zheng now boasts an impressive list of accomplishments. The reigning NCAA Singles Champion was also named the ITA National Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award recipient in 2025; he was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023 and '25 and is a three-time First Team All-Ivy Singles honoree and CSC Academic All-American.
"We are all so proud of Michael," Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis Howard Endelman said. "He represents our wonderful institution with class, competitiveness, humility and respect. Michael has matured so much - both on and off the tennis court."
Zheng returns to action for the round of 16 on November 20 when he takes on Clemson's Romain Gales. First serve will be determined on Wednesday evening.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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