Melbourne: Michael Zheng, the 21-year-old American tennis player, may miss out on a substantial amount of prize money despite winning his first-round match at the 2026 Australian Open. Zheng, who is still pursuing his studies, faces restrictions on the amount of prize money he can accept.
According to Thai News Agency, Zheng's victory over Sebastian Korda in a challenging 3-2 set match has earned him at least AU$225,000, equivalent to approximately 4.7 million baht. However, due to his status as a student and adherence to collegiate tennis rules in the United States, Zheng is only permitted to receive a maximum of $10,000 in prize money per year from competitions.
Despite these limitations, Zheng remains hopeful for leniency in this matter. His performance at the Grand Slam has drawn attention to the financial constraints faced by student-athletes who have yet to turn professional, highlighting the delicate balance between athletic pursuits and academic commitments.