Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Michael Zheng to Compete at Australian Open
1/12/2026 9:51:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The two-time National Champion is one of two active collegiate players in the tournament
NEW YORK – Columbia men's tennis senior and two-time NCAA singles national champion, Michael Zheng, will make his debut at the Australian Open, competing in the qualifying draw when he takes on Australian Cruz Hewitt tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern.
According to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), Zheng is one of 41 tournament entrants with collegiate experience; he is one of just two active players. The other being, Pepperdine's Edward Winter, who earned a wildcard entry due to his Australian citizenship.
This will be Zheng's third time competing in a Grand Slam tournament; he has qualified for the qualifying rounds of the US Open twice, most recently in 2025. The Montville, N.J. native currently boasts an ATP ranking of 172, which is how he gained entry to the Australian Open.
Zheng's climb in the ATP standings began in August when he defeated Chinese Taipei's Hsu Yu-hsiou 6-4, 6-2 at the Chicago ATP Challenger. He followed that up with back-to-back ATP Challenger wins at the Columbus Challenger and Tiburon Challenger in September.
Playing in his final tuneup prior to the Australian Open, Zheng advanced to the semifinals of the Noumea ATP Challenger in Noumea, New Caledonia last week. There he fell to France's Arthur Gea in three sets.
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
The Australian Open qualifying rounds will be streamed primarily through ESPN+. Fans can also follow Zheng's progress through Columbia men's tennis social media platforms on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
According to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), Zheng is one of 41 tournament entrants with collegiate experience; he is one of just two active players. The other being, Pepperdine's Edward Winter, who earned a wildcard entry due to his Australian citizenship.
This will be Zheng's third time competing in a Grand Slam tournament; he has qualified for the qualifying rounds of the US Open twice, most recently in 2025. The Montville, N.J. native currently boasts an ATP ranking of 172, which is how he gained entry to the Australian Open.
Zheng's climb in the ATP standings began in August when he defeated Chinese Taipei's Hsu Yu-hsiou 6-4, 6-2 at the Chicago ATP Challenger. He followed that up with back-to-back ATP Challenger wins at the Columbus Challenger and Tiburon Challenger in September.
Playing in his final tuneup prior to the Australian Open, Zheng advanced to the semifinals of the Noumea ATP Challenger in Noumea, New Caledonia last week. There he fell to France's Arthur Gea in three sets.
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
The Australian Open qualifying rounds will be streamed primarily through ESPN+. Fans can also follow Zheng's progress through Columbia men's tennis social media platforms on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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