Two years ago Alex Michelsen lost in the second round of AO junior qualies to Asahi Hazaraki 75 67 16. Now he’s a top 60 ATP player contending for ATP World Tour titles, Hazaragi currently plays NCAA tennis for University of Oklahoma. Today Michelsen will play Marcos Giron to try to win his first ATP title.
Michelsen is an uncanny, hard to understand player. He stands stands six foot, four inches tall, is 19 years old, with a 16-19 match record on the year. In one year he ascended from 250 in the world to 61 right now. That trajectory suggests a very interesting peak is coming in the future.
Yesterday, Michelsen handed Reilly Opelka the worst loss of his ATP career, a 62 60 drubbing. (Note: Opelka worst loss as a pro was in 2013, his first Futures match, a 61 60 defeat to Robby Ginepri.) Nobody has ever come close to manhandling Opelka so decisively, remember, Opelka had won three matches this week in Newport.
With his big serve, natural movement and reliable ground strokes, fearless mindset and natural tennis IQ, Michelsen may be the best American prospect since Roddick or Isner or Sampras, Courier, Agassi. But he’s been under the radar, not hyped as junior. Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned there.
This kid from Laguna Hills, CA was supposed to be in college at University of Georgia but he shocked himself by reaching the Newport Hall of Fame Open a year ago. That changed everything for Michelsen. Now he’s a pro athlete knocking on the door of stardom. He continues to win matches on the ATP World Tour with an appealing technical style combined with a very mature emotional intensity.
“I try not to put pressure on myself,” Michelsen said. “I feel like even on the court, I’m always pumping myself up no matter what the score is. Win or lose a point, I’m saying something quietly or loudly to myself. I feel like the pressure hasn’t really gotten to me.”
Michelsen entered Newport off a 76 in the fifth set loss to Lloyd Harris and at French Open he lost first round to Alex deMinaur 16 06 26. Earlier this year Michelsen beat deMinaur 64 61 in Los Cabos.
I can’t quite put a finger on it yet, even after seeing all of Michelsen’s matches at Newport last year and this week, and a handful of others in between. But Michelsen has something that Paul, Fritz, and Opelka don’t. What that x factor is, mental attitude, fighting spirit and or natural born champion… I’m still trying to figure out.
Alex Michelsen · ATP · Newport
2 comments
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Chris Robb · July 23, 2024 at 1:56 am
I watched him two years ago at Pepperdine University lose a low level ITF final to Arthur Fery in front of six people. He had something but was kind of still junior like. This past year I watched him at the Fairfield Challenger as one of the top seeds go out fairly early. It is hard to tell where he could end up. There is still a “youngness” to him and his game. Maybe a bit raw?
Scoop Malinowski · July 23, 2024 at 5:39 am
Chris, He’s still gotta be on cloud 9, and somewhat surprised this is all really happening. perhaps the most unexpected guy in the top 60. From junior second rater to top 50 ATP in one year is extraordinary. with more experience and hard work I like his chances for top ten.