It All Adds Up for Alex Michelsen

Player Features

It All Adds Up for Alex Michelsen: Up close with the Clippers & taking on the title chase

American takes on Sinner in Miami fourth round on Tuesday

ATP Tour

Alex Michelsen in action at the Miami Open presented by Itau. By ATP Staff

Alex Michelsen is making inroads on home soil once again at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The 21-year-old, whose three ATP Tour championship-match appearances so far all came in the United States, will on Tuesday take on Jannik Sinner for a quarter-final spot at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Florida.

ATPTour.com caught up with Michelsen to learn how life on the ATP Tour all adds up for the Californian, covering topics including the American he considers to be his biggest rival, his current biggest career goal, and the off-court ‘advantages’ of being a tennis player.

What is your favourite ATP Tour tournament to play and why?

I’m going to have to say Tokyo. I love Tokyo. I think it’s the best city in the world and the food is unbelievable. Everything on site is perfect, the people are amazing, the hotel is great. It was my first time in Asia last year when I went, and I just thought it was all so cool.

What is your favourite tennis rivalry?

I loved watching the Novak and Fed rivalry. I watched that 2019 Wimbledon final when I had a broken ankle. I sat on the couch and watched every point of that match. That was crazy. I loved watching those guys go into battle.

Who is your own greatest rival?

There are guys I enjoy playing because I win, but… I haven’t really played anyone more than like three times on Tour. I would have to say Learner [Tien], because we played a bunch in juniors... It’s a fun little rivalry. We’re very close friends too, so it’s always fun to play him.

Has there been a unique or standout moment in your career so far?

When I broke Top 100. I won the Challenger in Knoxville and I was pretty over the moon. I never really was supposed to be a professional tennis player and it was just like a moment of awe. I saw myself at No. 99 in the world and was just like, ‘That’s crazy’. Then winning the biggest title of my life so far on clay [in Estoril], that was pretty amazing.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve been chasing?

Winning an ATP Tour title. I’ve lost three finals, so I’m just looking to get one of those under my belt. That would be amazing.

How exciting is the chase?

It’s exciting for sure. Every week you are like, ‘Okay, maybe this week’.

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