Michael Zheng's Australian Open Success Entangles Prize Money Dilemma

Post by : Mina Rahman

Emerging tennis sensation Michael Zheng is making waves at the Australian Open but now faces a challenging predicament regarding his earnings. The 21-year-old college student dazzled fans by defeating former quarter-finalist Sebastian Korda in an exhilarating five-set first-round showdown.

Zheng’s remarkable performance at Melbourne Park has secured him at least A$225,000 (about US$150,000), and this amount could jump to A$327,750 if he progresses past the 32nd seed, Corentin Moutet.

Despite these substantial winnings, Zheng might be required to forfeit a significant portion of the prize money due to stringent US college tennis regulations. These guidelines restrict the amount of prize money college athletes can retain to US$10,000 annually to preserve their amateur status.

Currently in his senior year at Columbia University, studying psychology, Zheng stated, “I have one more semester left at school, which I definitely plan to finish. After the tournament, I’ll be going back to my studies.”

He also expressed intentions to consult with his coach regarding the prize money conundrum. “I’ve heard that since it’s my senior spring, there might be a chance to keep some of it, but I want to be sure before accepting anything. I don’t want to get in any trouble.”

Zheng’s predicament reflects the delicate balancing act numerous gifted college athletes encounter when competing at elite levels before transitioning to professional status. For now, he remains focused on his matches while aiming to maintain his academic commitments.