Sports
Michael Zheng May Have to Hand Back $225k in Prize Money
When players decide to choose tennis as a career, one of their aims would be to win a match at a Grand Slam, due to the sense of accomplishment and also the prize money that comes along with it.
Twenty-one-year-old American, Michael Zheng, achieved that feat Sunday afternoon in Melbourne at the Australian Open after defeating world no.53, and fellow countryman, Sebastian Korda, in a first-round five-set thriller to send Zheng through to the second round. However, the world no.174 might have to turn down the prize money he would have earned for his performances Down Under.
Zheng has earned $225,000 as a minimum by getting through to the second round, but because he is still enrolled at Columbia University in the States, he may not be allowed to keep any of the money.
He delayed turning professional, wanting to complete his psychology degree. This left him in a grey area between the high level of professional tennis and college eligibility rules.
Under the current rules and regulations for college athletes, they are typically restricted to using prize money ONLY to cover expenses, rather than collecting full possible earnings.
Michael Zheng Speaks on Australian Open Prize Money
After his win, Zheng spoke about the uncertainty regarding his situation, saying: “I feel like it’s gotten blurrier than it used to be in some ways in terms of the line between turning pro and staying in college.
“I still have one more semester at Columbia, which I do intend to finish. So whenever my run here is done, I’m going back to school.”
He went on to say that since he was a senior in his final semester, this could possibly allow him to accept the prize money, but he was unwilling to take a chance on it without being 100% certain.
“I’ll talk to our head coach, try to figure out, you know, what’s the deal with the prize money, if I’m allowed to take it or not,” he added.
“I’ve heard rumours that I’m allowed to take it because it’s my senior spring. But I want to make sure to double-check, make sure there’s nothing wrong with eligibility if I take it. I don’t want to get in trouble or anything.”
Michael Zheng’s Australian Open Journey
This current situation puts a bit of a blemish on Zheng’s achievement at Melbourne Park. He made his way through three rounds of qualifying before dumping out Korda, in what was also his first five-set match of his career.
He was ranked outside the world’s top 700 a few months ago and has risen through the rankings, while also balancing his academic schedule.
Zheng will now face Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the next round, with a possible meeting with world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the third round if he was to make it that far. However, if Zheng was to advance any deeper into the draw, then his situation could become even more complex.
