Photo by: Courtesy of the USTA
Michael Zheng Repeats as Academic All-American
6/3/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Two-time national champion takes home the honor for the second time
NEW YORK – Columbia men's tennis senior Michael Zheng was selected to the 2025-26 Academic All-America first team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). It is the second time Zheng has earned this honor, after becoming the program's first Academic All-American in 2024-25.
Zheng, a psychology major with a 3.67 GPA, is one of six athletes named to the first team. Student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered for the award.
The Montville, N.J. native, is the reigning two-time NCAA Singles National Champion, the first since USC's Steve Jonson accomplished this feat in 2011 and 2012. Zheng was recently named an ITA All-American for the fourth time in his brilliant career.
The three-time Ivy League Player of the Year and four-time First Team All-Ivy honoree in both singles and doubles finished his senior campaign with a 23-7 record in singles play and a 9-6 mark in doubles. He led Columbia to its 19th conference title - and third in a row and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
For his career, he went 125-31 in singles matches and 65-38 in doubles matches. He led Columbia to an 80-21 record overall, including a 25-3 record in conference play.
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).
Zheng, a psychology major with a 3.67 GPA, is one of six athletes named to the first team. Student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher to be considered for the award.
The Montville, N.J. native, is the reigning two-time NCAA Singles National Champion, the first since USC's Steve Jonson accomplished this feat in 2011 and 2012. Zheng was recently named an ITA All-American for the fourth time in his brilliant career.
The three-time Ivy League Player of the Year and four-time First Team All-Ivy honoree in both singles and doubles finished his senior campaign with a 23-7 record in singles play and a 9-6 mark in doubles. He led Columbia to its 19th conference title - and third in a row and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
For his career, he went 125-31 in singles matches and 65-38 in doubles matches. He led Columbia to an 80-21 record overall, including a 25-3 record in conference play.
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
Highlights: MTEN | National Championship Highlights
Sunday, November 23
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on winning the NCAA singles championship
Sunday, November 24
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on advancing to the singles final at NCAA Championships
Saturday, November 23
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on advancing to semifinals at NCAA Championships
Friday, November 22
