Fans packed the Milstein Family Tennis Center (MFTC) in Upper Manhattan last weekend to witness the Columbia men’s tennis team defeat Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) powerhouse Clemson, 4–2, in a scintillating match during the round of 32 of the NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship. Columbia previously blanked Binghamton, 4–0, in the round of 64. The energy was electric during the Clemson encounter—and fans left raving.
“I was so unbelievably impressed—what an incredible experience. We loved every minute of it.”
— Joe C., Executive Director of a local youth tennis organization
“Super close-up viewing of elite tennis talent on multiple courts, fantastic venue, great neighborhood and parks, right off the 1 or A trains… all for free. I’ll be going back next weekend with my wife!”
— Scott G., NYC sports enthusiast
“The no-ad scoring format amplified the intensity of the matches, and the team format engaged the crowd into chanting for the home team.”
— Steve H., former Division I college tennis player
The excitement continues this Saturday, May 10, at 1:00 p.m., as the No. 8 seed Columbia Lions host the No. 9 seed NC State Wolfpack in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship. It’s a rare opportunity for locals to witness Ivy League student-athletes challenge an ACC juggernaut on college tennis’s biggest stage.
Teamwork and Talent on Display
Columbia’s squad, under the direction of esteemed Coach Howard Endelman, is composed of a highly talented group, including Michael Zheng, the reigning NCAA Singles Champion. The team’s depth and resolve were evident last weekend, with Hugo Hashimoto clinching the match with a dramatic 6–4, 6–7 (5–7), 7–5 win. Zheng, Nicolas Kotzen, Max Westphal, and Jayden Templeman all delivered key victories to complete the task at hand.
Event Details
Venue: Milstein Family Tennis Center (MFTC)
Address: 603 West 218th Street, New York, NY
Info Line: 212-851-7100
Weather: Rain or shine – indoor courts available
Parking: Street parking and local garages
Concessions: Available on-site
Admission: Free – no ticket required
Match Format & Schedule
Saturday, May 10 – Sweet 16
1:00 p.m. – Columbia vs. NC State
College tennis matches feature:
- Three doubles matches (one set each). Winning two earns one team point.
- Six singles matches (best of three sets), each worth one point.
- First team to reach four total points wins the match.
- No-ad scoring adds intensity and pace.
- Match starts promptly at 1:00 p.m. (weather permitting) and lasts approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
Getting There Is Easy
From the No. 1 Train:
Exit at 215th Street. Walk north briefly on 10th Avenue to 218th Street, turn left, cross Broadway, and continue west. The tennis center is immediately past the football stadium—walk down the gated driveway, as the attendant will waive all attendees through.
From the A Train:
Exit at 207th Street. Walk north on Broadway to 218th Street, turn left, and follow the directions above.
Don’t Miss Columbia’s Push for the Elite Eight
With local pride and national stakes on the line, this is more than just a tennis match—it’s an unforgettable community sports experience. Come support the Lions as they aim to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight.
Admission is free. Call 212-851-7100 for information.
I went to the Clemson match and it was a lot of fun. Michael Zheng is amazing. Will hopefully be able to catch him playing in Queens in late August …