‘Old 19-year-old’ Alex Michelsen reflects on first year on Tour | ATP Tour

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‘Outdated 19-year-old’ Michelsen displays on first yr on Tour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 received an ATP Tour most important draw match. Then 18, he was not but knowledgeable tennis participant.

However the Infosys Hall of Fame Open modified the trajectory of his profession. As an alternative of constant in the 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 greatest ATP tournaments that I’ve performed have been right here again to again years. I am undoubtedly coming with much more expertise and I really feel like I have been utilizing that this week,” Michelsen advised ATPTour.com. “I’ve acquired two straight-set wins over two superb gamers. So actually proud of that. And yeah, final yr was a whirlwind for me.”

In every single place Michelsen went when he made his breakthrough on the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, individuals 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 have been quite a bit for a teen who had by no means skilled such a highlight in his life.

“It was quite a bit. 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 quite a bit for me. It was quite a bit 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 acquired 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 Hall 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 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

“Subsequent Gen was a very good expertise though I did not win a match,” stated Michelsen, who’s second on this yr’s PIF ATP Dwell 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 aim. I’ve acquired to start out with one.”

Rather a lot has modified for Michelsen because the final time he was in Newport. He has traveled all all over the world, having fun with nations 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 all places 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 probably the most enjoyable? Michelsen’s reply may shock you.

“I’m going to say after I acquired again from Wimby, as a result of I hadn’t seen my buddies in like, three, 4 months, and everybody was dwelling for summer time,” Michelsen stated. “I performed a variety of pickleball , went to the seaside. It was a blast. I’d say that within the final yr for positive that is probably 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 dwelling for positive, by a longshot.”

Newport is now at a event that has turn into like dwelling on the street in Newport. It doesn’t matter what occurs the remainder of the week, starting along with his semi-final Saturday towards wild card Reilly Opelka, the teenager is eager to proceed working laborious to push ahead in his journey.

“I strive to not put strain on myself,” Michelsen stated. “I really feel like even on the court docket, I am all the time pumping myself up it doesn’t matter what the rating is. Win or lose a degree, I am saying one thing quietly or loudly to myself. I really feel just like the strain hasn’t actually gotten to me.”