Michael Zheng, born January 27, 2004 is an American tennis player who’s already made some serious waves. Michael Zheng reached a career high ATP singles ranking of No. 174. Right now, he’s a senior at Columbia University and he’s not just studying; he’s out there making history as a two time NCAA singles champion. People see him as one of the brightest young talents in American tennis.
Michael Zheng Net Worth
As an emerging professional tennis player, Michael Zheng is building his financial portfolio through tournament prize money & potential endorsements. According to official records, his career prize money stands at approximately $102,200. As a collegiate athlete who only recently began competing professionally, his net worth is estimated to be modest compared to established ATP players.
Michael Zheng Net Worth Breakdown
| Source | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Career Prize Money | $102,200 |
| Endorsements | Not publicly disclosed |
| College Scholarships/Support | Educational benefits |
| Tournament Winnings (2025) | $5,510+ |
| Estimated Net Worth | $100,000 – $200,000 |
Note: Net worth figures are estimates based on available prize money data. Actual net worth may vary.
Michael Zheng Net Worth Comparison
To provide context for Zheng’s earnings, here’s a comparison with other tennis players at similar career stages:
| Player | Career Stage | Estimated Net Worth | Career Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Zheng | Emerging Pro/Senior at Columbia | $100K – $200K | $102,200 |
| Average NCAA Champion | College Level | $50K – $150K | Varies |
| ATP Challenger Regular | Early Professional | $200K – $500K | $200K – $800K |
| Top 100 ATP Player | Established Pro | $1M – $5M+ | $2M – $10M+ |
| Ben Shelton (comparison) | Rising American Star | $3M – $5M | $3M+ |
Comparison shows Michael Zheng is early in his professional journey with significant growth potential.
Michael Zheng Biography
Michael Zheng was raised in Montville, New Jersey and attended Delbarton School, where he won the state singles tennis championship in 2021. His journey represents the American dream, as his parents emigrated from Hubei, China to the United States when they were in their late 20s or early 30s. His father Joe pursued a PhD in physics before both parents transitioned to careers in IT.
Zheng’s tennis career accelerated when he was accepted into the feeder program at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where he played for two years. Michael Zheng made significant sacrifices for his sport, commuting three days a week to the tennis center, missing his last two classes of middle school.
Michael Zheng Biography Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Zheng |
| Date of Birth | January 27, 2004 |
| Age | 21 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Hometown | Montville, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-American |
| Education | Columbia University (Current Senior) |
| High School | Delbarton School, Dwight Global Online School |
| Parents | Joe Zheng (Father), Mei Zheng (Mother) |
| Turned Professional | 2023 (while maintaining NCAA eligibility) |
| Coach | Thomas Drouet, Ruan Roelofse |
| Playing Style | Right-handed, Two-handed Backhand |
Michael Zheng Physical Appearances
Michael Zheng possesses an athletic build typical of professional tennis players, with height & reach advantages that benefit his game.
Michael Zheng Physical Statistics
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm / 1.87m) |
| Weight | 160-161 lbs (73 kg) |
| Build | Athletic, Lean |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Backhand | Two-handed |
| Reach | Advantage for serves and groundstrokes |
| Physical Conditioning | Excellent (competitive collegiate athlete) |
Michael Zheng Family
The Michael Zheng family story embodies the American immigrant experience and the pursuit of excellence through education and dedication.
Michael’s parents emigrated from Hubei, China, so his father Joe could pursue a PhD in physics. When the technology boom arrived, both parents transitioned from academic pursuits to successful careers in information technology. Joe’s passion for tennis began after arriving in America, Michael Zheng started playing with friends and instantly fell in love with the sport.
Michael’s father became instrumental in his tennis development, taking him and his older sister to local high school courts to feed them balls. Joe, a longtime Roger Federer fan, hoped his son would “play like Roger” and Michael shares his father’s admiration for the Swiss maestro.
The family made significant commitments to support Michael’s tennis aspirations. His mother Mei would drive him to the bus station for his lengthy commutes to the USTA National Tennis Center, demonstrating the family’s dedication to his development. Michael has an older sister who also played tennis recreationally during their childhood.
The Zhengs have been in the United States for 20 to 30 years, establishing themselves professionally while maintaining their cultural heritage. Their support has been crucial in Michael’s journey from junior tennis to becoming a historic NCAA champion and emerging professional player.
Michael Zheng Career
Junior Career
Michael Zheng’s tennis journey began at age six or seven when his father introduced him to the sport. His early development accelerated when he joined the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s elite program around age nine or ten.
Major junior achievements include:
- Won the 2021 New Jersey state singles championship
- Won the 2019 USTA National Indoor Championships as the seventh seed
- Reached the 2022 Wimbledon boys’ singles final, losing to Mili Poljičak
- Ranked eighth nationally in the Class of 2022
Collegiate Career at Columbia University
Zheng’s collegiate career has been nothing short of historic for the Ivy League and Columbia University.
First Year (2022-23): Became the first Ivy League tennis player to win Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and First Team All Ivy in singles and doubles all in the same season. He posted a 32-9 overall singles record and reached the NCAA Tournament Round of 16.
Sophomore Year (2023-24): Reached the NCAA Division I singles championship final, losing to Filip Planinšek of Alabama. Finished ranked No. 10 in the final ITA singles rankings, the highest season ending ranking ever for a Columbia Lion.
Junior Year (2024-25): On November 24, 2024, defeated Ozan Baris of Michigan State to become the first NCAA singles champion from Columbia since 1906 and the first Ivy League NCAA singles champion since 1922. Posted a 37-5 overall singles record.
Senior Year (2025-26): On November 23, 2025, defeated Trevor Svajda of SMU to become the first back to back NCAA champion since Steve Johnson in 2011 and 2012. His win gave him 19 career NCAA individual tournament wins, the most in NCAA history.
Professional Career
Zheng has been transitioning to professional tennis while maintaining his collegiate eligibility:
- Reached his first ATP Challenger final at the 2023 Caribbean Open, losing to Kei Nishikori
- In May 2025, reached the final of the 2025 Little Rock Challenger
- In July 2025, reached his first Challenger doubles final at the 2025 Cranbrook Tennis Classic with Theodore Winegar
- In August 2025, won his first Challenger title in Chicago
- Won titles at Tiburon Challenger and Tennis Ohio Championships in October 2025
- Achieved career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 174 on January 12, 2026
- Achieved career-high doubles ranking of No. 490 on August 25, 2025
Michael Zheng Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Username/Handle | Status |
|---|---|---|
| @michael_zheng04 | Primary account (verified tennis player) | |
| Twitter/X | Not publicly confirmed | Limited presence |
| Available | Professional presence | |
| TikTok | Not prominent | Minimal activity |
| ATP Tour | Official ATP Profile | Professional statistics |
| Columbia Athletics | Official page | University achievements |
Note: @michael_zheng04 appears to be his primary social media presence for tennis-related content.
Quick Facts About Michael Zheng
- Historic Achievement: First back-to-back NCAA men’s singles champion since 2011-2012
- NCAA Record Holder: Holds the record for most career NCAA individual tournament wins (19)
- Ivy League Pioneer: First Ivy League NCAA singles champion since 1922
- Triple Crown Winner: First Ivy League player to win Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Ivy in one season
- Academic Excellence: Balances professional tennis with studies at Columbia University
- Equipment: Uses Yonex VCORE 98 racquet strung with Yonex Polytour Pro and Polytour Spin
- Roger Federer Fan: Shares admiration for Federer with his father
- Immigrant Success Story: First-generation American whose parents came from China
- Multi-Title Winner: Won multiple ATP Challenger titles in 2025
- Future Prospect: Considered one of America’s most promising young tennis players
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Michael Zheng
How old is Michael Zheng?
Michael Zheng is 21 years old, born on January 27, 2004.
What is Michael Zheng’s ATP ranking?
As of January 12, 2026, Zheng achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 174.
What university does Michael Zheng attend?
Michael Zheng attends Columbia University, where he is currently a senior.
Has Michael Zheng won any NCAA championships?
Yes, Michael Zheng won back to back NCAA Division I men’s singles championships in 2024 and 2025, making him the first player to achieve this feat since Steve Johnson in 2011-2012.
What is Michael Zheng’s playing style?
Michael Zheng plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. He stands 6’2″ (188 cm), giving him advantages in serve and reach.
Where is Michael Zheng from?
Michael Zheng is from Montville, New Jersey, and is of Chinese-American heritage.
Who are Michael Zheng’s coaches?
His coaches include Thomas Drouet and Ruan Roelofse.
What is Michael Zheng’s career prize money?
According to official records, Michael Zheng has earned approximately $102,200 in career prize money.
Did Michael Zheng have success as a junior player?
Yes, Michael Zheng reached the 2022 Wimbledon boys’ singles final and won the 2019 USTA National Indoor Championships.
What makes Michael Zheng historically significant at Columbia?
Michael Zheng became Columbia’s first NCAA singles champion of the modern era and set numerous records for the Ivy League and the university.
Michael Zheng isn’t just another college athlete he’s already made NCAA history and he’s only 21. As a senior at Columbia, he’s pulled off back to back singles championships and set the record for the most career NCAA individual tournament wins.
His story starts in Montville, New Jersey, where his parents, both Chinese immigrants, chased the American dream the old fashioned way through education & hard work. Michael picked up tennis from his dad and his mom spent years driving him to practices & tournaments. That mix of family support and his own drive pushed him forward.
Now, with a career high ATP ranking of No. 174 and some Challenger wins under his belt, Michael’s standing on the edge of something big. His net worth about $100,000 to $200,000 shows he’s still early in his pro career, but everything about his path points up as he leaves college tennis behind for the tour full time.
Balancing classes at Columbia with the grind of pro tennis, Michael shows what a modern student athlete can really do. He’s proved you can take the Ivy League route & still make it on the professional stage, breaking barriers for players who’ll come after him. With his talent, work ethic & that edge only real competitors have, Michael Zheng’s just getting started.
