Columbia University's men's tennis program is making waves as junior Michael Zheng has been chosen to represent Team USA at the prestigious 2024 Master’U BNP Paribas Championship in Reims, 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 among top-ranked student-athletes.

Rich History and Past Selections

The Master’U BNP Paribas Championship has a remarkable history of success. Former Team USA selections include Danielle Collins (Virginia), Austin Krajicek (Texas A&M), Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA), Ena Shibahara (UCLA), and Chris Eubanks (Georgia Tech). Remarkably, Team USA has won 10 of the past 11 gold medals at this event, including each of the past four editions. This showcases the high level of competition and the talent that the USA brings to the table.

Zheng's Journey and Teammates

Junior Michael Zheng's selection is a significant achievement for Columbia University. He 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 Team USA delegation that won gold in France last year. This team is set to make a strong showing in the 2024 edition.

Coaching Staff and Changes

Coaching Team USA in 2024 will be Robin Stephenson (Washington) and Andrew Rueb (Harvard). Stephenson's return to the coaching staff after working alongside Greg Patton (former Boise State) last year adds a sense of continuity. However, the 2024 Championship marks the first year without Coach Patton since the tournament's inception. This change brings a new dynamic to the team and will be interesting to observe.

Tournament Details and Resources

The 2024 Master’U BNP Paribas Championship will be played from November 29 – December 1 in Reims, France at an indoor facility. For more information about the tournament, visit their website. To stay updated on Team USA and all other NCAA athletes competing for various countries, follow the ITA on all social media channels. This provides a great opportunity for fans and supporters to follow the action and cheer on the athletes.