Michael Zheng: “I Think Fostering a Great Culture Makes It Super Special” — Former Columbia Star Comes Full Circle at Flushing Meadows
Following his victory on Court 12 Thursday night, Michael Zheng took a celebratory victory lap to show appreciation to the New York faithful that powered him into the 2026 US Open third round. While the thunderous support felt like a home match for the recent Columbia University graduate, for Zheng, the connection to Flushing Meadows runs far deeper than local fandom.
Between the ages of nine and 12, the New Jersey native spent his formative years training directly at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as part of its developmental Feeder program.
“I didn’t get many chances to hit on the outdoor courts; only a few because a lot of the programme was on the indoor [courts],” Zheng told ATPTour.com. “But still just amazing to get the opportunity to see Court 17 and and when you walk in the building, you can see all the stadiums and just getting the opportunity to come back and play here, I think makes it super special.”
The Commute That Forged a Champion
Zheng’s path to elite tennis was built on an grueling daily travel routine. Growing up in New Jersey, a young Zheng regularly navigated public transit—buses, commuter trains into Manhattan, and the 7 subway line—just to get to practice in Queens.
Former USTA national coach Jay Devashetty, who spearheaded the youth program, distinctly remembers Zheng’s early dedication and quiet focus.
“He was motivated in the sense that him and his friend would travel from New Jersey from their house, take a bus to the train station, take a train from there to Penn Station and then take the subway all the way to Flushing,” Devashetty recalled. “That was a hell of a ride for them and they would do that. The parents would pick them up in the evening. Sometimes they would go back on their own. So those two boys, they were traveling together a lot, and Michael was one of them.”
Devashetty noted that while Zheng wasn’t initially the biggest power hitter in his age group, his elite shot selection and tactical awareness set him apart early on.
“When he was younger, he didn’t really have a lot of weapons, I would say. And over the years, he’s developed his forehand into more of a weapon and all of his shots are obviously higher quality, better quality,” Devashetty explained. “But more importantly, his forehand has become more of a weapon, where he’s going after it more. You need that to play in the pros and he’s been able to add that part to his already great skill of making good decisions consistently.”
Zheng credited Devashetty’s environment for shaping both his technical base and his fierce competitive drive.
“He’s helped me a lot,” Zheng reflected. “I think he developed a great programme, putting together a bunch of kids… I think he just fostered a great culture where everyone was pushing each other to get better. Everyone was very close in level, and then I always wanted to beat the guy I was across the net from… making sure you had a lot of fun and enjoyed the sport, which is super important.”
Pro Exposure and College Dominance
A pivotal moment arrived at age 15 when Devashetty invited Zheng to hit with established tour pros—including John Isner and Ivo Karlovic—at the ATP event on Long Island, accelerating his transition toward professional aspirations.
That early exposure paid dividends. After reaching the 2022 Wimbledon boys’ singles final, Zheng went on to star for Columbia University, winning back-to-back NCAA individual national titles.
Now, more than a decade after his daily commutes on the 7 train began, Zheng finds himself in the third round of his home Grand Slam. Up to a live ranking of World No. 88, he prepares to face Arthur Gea with a spot in the second week of the 2026 US Open on the line.
