Michael Zheng, the 2024 NCAA Singles Champion, is set to make his mark once again. After claiming the prestigious title, he now represents Team USA at the 2024 Master’U BNP Paribas Championship in France. This tournament, known as "The World Event of University Tennis," is in its 17th year and will bring together eight nations for intense competition.

Zheng's Return and Team USA's Delegation

Zheng will be joined by Savannah Broadus (Pepperdine), Sebastian Gorzny (Texas), Amelia Honer (UCSB), Mary Stoiana (Texas A&M), and Gavin Young (Michigan). Broadus, Stoiana, and Young are returning members from the 2023 Master’U Team USA delegation that won gold last year. This diverse team is ready to showcase their skills on the international stage.The 2024 edition of the championship will be held from November 29 to December 1 in Reims, France, at an indoor facility. It promises to be a thrilling event with some of the top-ranked student-athletes from around the world competing.

The Significance of the Master’U BNP Paribas Championship

This tournament holds great importance as it provides a platform for university tennis players to showcase their talents on a global scale. It attracts the best of the best and allows these young athletes to compete against peers from different countries and university systems. The high-level competition at the Master’U BNP Paribas Championship helps in the development and growth of university tennis.It also serves as a stepping stone for these players as they aim to make a mark in the professional tennis world. Many former participants have gone on to have successful careers in tennis.

ATP NEXT GEN ACCELERATOR: Zheng's Next Step

Following his victory in the NCAA singles tournament, Zheng was announced as one of the qualifiers for the 2025-26 ATP Nex Gen Accelerator. Singles players who reached the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 NCAA Division I Men’s Singles Championships in Waco automatically qualified for the program. Zheng's second consecutive qualification is a testament to his talent and hard work.Qualified players will compete in the spring to determine if their Accelerator Spots at Challenger 50 and 75 tournaments will be in the main draw (for Top 10 ITA ranked players) or for qualifying (11-20). Since Zheng was the NCAA Singles Champion, he will be awarded main draw Accelerator Spots. This is a significant opportunity for him to further his tennis career and gain valuable experience.

Following the Columbia Men's Tennis Lions

To stay updated on all things Columbia Men’s Tennis, fans can follow the Lions on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten), and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics). These social media platforms provide a direct link to the team and allow fans to stay connected with their favorite players and follow their progress.It's an exciting time for Columbia Men's Tennis as they continue to make their mark in the tennis world. With talented players like Michael Zheng leading the way, the future looks bright.