‘Previous 19-year-old’ Alex Michelsen displays on first yr on Tour | ATP Tour

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‘Previous 19-year-old’ Michelsen displays on first yr on Tour

ATPTour.com speaks completely to the American in Newport

July 20, 2024

One yr in the past, #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen had by no means gained an ATP Tour foremost draw match. Then 18, he was not but an expert tennis participant.

However the Infosys Corridor of Fame Open modified the trajectory of his profession. As an alternative of continuous in direction of a university tennis profession on the College of Georgia, he reached the ultimate in Newport, turned professional and have become one of many brightest younger stars within the sport. One yr on, the 19-year-old is again within the Newport semi-finals.

“It is fairly enjoyable. The 2 finest ATP tournaments that I’ve performed have been right here again to again years. I am positively coming with much more expertise and I really feel like I have been utilizing that this week,” Michelsen instructed ATPTour.com. “I’ve received two straight-set wins over two superb gamers. So actually proud of that. And yeah, final yr was a whirlwind for me.”

All over the place Michelsen went when he made his breakthrough on the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, folks requested the identical query. “Are you going professional?”

The house favorite didn’t need to say on the time. The questions and the moment success had been loads for a teen who had by no means skilled such a highlight in his life.

“It was loads. Simply strolling from the resort to right here, everybody was saying, ‘Hello, good luck’, all this. I prefer to hold it low key and it was loads for me. It was loads for me, however I did not hate it,” Michelsen stated. “I really feel like I used to be rewarded for all my laborious work. And everybody received to see that final yr, as a result of there have been many, a few years behind the scenes simply grinding. So sure, some negatives, however largely positives. I’ve beloved it.”

The week earlier than final yr’s Infosys Corridor of Fame Open, Michelsen was No. 250 within the PIF ATP Rankings. Now he’s World No. 61 and has climbed as excessive as World No. 55. Final yr, the American competed within the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF.

“Subsequent Gen was a great expertise despite the fact that I did not win a match,” stated Michelsen, who’s second on this yr’s PIF ATP Reside Race To Jeddah. “I’m planning on going again there this yr and hopefully going to get some revenge on all people and perhaps at the very least win one match this time. That is the objective. I’ve received to start out with one.”

Lots has modified for Michelsen for the reason that final time he was in Newport. He has traveled all world wide, having fun with international locations like Portugal and consuming schnitzel in Germany. He was simply in Europe for the primary prolonged time period in his life and “it was superior”.

“I really feel like I am an previous 19-year-old. I have been in every single place I really feel like. However when you’re in Europe, after like three, 4 weeks, I simply accepted that I used to be going to be in Europe grinding it out,” Michelsen stated. “It is a job. You have to do it proper. I loved it. I benefit from the grind. I benefit from the course of.”

However what has been essentially the most enjoyable? Michelsen’s reply would possibly shock you.

“I’m going to say once I received again from Wimby, as a result of I hadn’t seen my pals in like, three, 4 months, and everybody was residence for summer season,” Michelsen stated. “I performed quite a lot of pickleball , went to the seashore. It was a blast. I’d say that within the final yr for positive that is essentially the most enjoyable I’ve had.

“That is perhaps why I am doing effectively this week. That is the longest I have been away from residence for positive, by a longshot.”

Newport is now at a match that has develop into like residence on the highway in Newport. It doesn’t matter what occurs the remainder of the week, starting together with his semi-final Saturday in opposition to wild card Reilly Opelka, the teenager is eager to proceed working laborious to push ahead in his journey.

“I strive to not put stress on myself,” Michelsen stated. “I really feel like even on the courtroom, I am at all times pumping myself up it doesn’t matter what the rating is. Win or lose some extent, I am saying one thing quietly or loudly to myself. I really feel just like the stress hasn’t actually gotten to me.”