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

One year ago, #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen had never won an ATP Tour main draw match. Then 18, he was not yet a professional tennis player.

But the Infosys Hall of Fame Open changed the trajectory of his career. Instead of continuing towards a college tennis career at the University of Georgia, he reached the final in Newport, turned pro and became one of the brightest young stars in the sport. One year on, the 19-year-old is back in the Newport semi-finals.

“It's pretty fun. The two best ATP tournaments that I've played have been here back to back years. I'm definitely coming with a lot more experience and I feel like I've been using that this week,” Michelsen told ATPTour.com. “I’ve got two straight-set wins over two very good players. So really happy with that. And yeah, last year was a whirlwind for me.”

Everywhere Michelsen went when he made his breakthrough at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, people asked the same question. “Are you going pro?”

The home favourite did not want to say at the time. The questions and the instant success were a lot for a teen who had never experienced such a spotlight in his life.

“It was a lot. Just walking from the hotel to here, everyone was saying, ‘Hi, good luck’, all this. I like to keep it low key and it was a lot for me. It was a lot for me, but I didn't hate it,” Michelsen said. “I feel like I was rewarded for all my hard work. And everyone got to see that last year, because there were many, many years behind the scenes just grinding. So yes, some negatives, but mostly positives. I've loved it.”

The week before last year’s Infosys Hall of Fame Open, Michelsen was No. 250 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Now he is World No. 61 and has climbed as high as World No. 55. Last year, the American competed in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

“Next Gen was a good experience even though I didn't win a match,” said Michelsen, who is second in this year’s PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. “I’m planning on going back there this year and hopefully going to get some revenge on everybody and maybe at least win one match this time. That's the goal. I've got to start with one.”

A lot has changed for Michelsen since the last time he was in Newport. He has traveled all around the world, enjoying countries like Portugal and eating schnitzel in Germany. He was just in Europe for the first extended period of time in his life and “it was awesome”.

“I feel like I'm an old 19-year-old. I've been everywhere I feel like. But once you're in Europe, after like three, four weeks, I just accepted that I was going to be in Europe grinding it out,” Michelsen said. “It's a job. You've got to do it right. I enjoyed it. I enjoy the grind. I enjoy the process.”

But what has been the most fun? Michelsen’s answer might surprise you.

“I’m going to say when I got back from Wimby, because I hadn't seen my friends in like, three, four months, and everyone was home for summer,” Michelsen said. “I played a lot of pickleball , went to the beach. It was a blast. I would say that in the last year for sure that's the most fun I've had.

“That's maybe why I'm doing well this week. That's the longest I've been away from home for sure, by a longshot.”

Newport is now at a tournament that has become like home on the road in Newport. No matter what happens the rest of the week, beginning with his semi-final Saturday against wild card Reilly Opelka, the teen is keen to continue working hard to push forward in his journey.

“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.”