Alex Michelsen is America’s newest rising hope, promising a path for a bright future on the tour and maybe even, projecting a possibility to rid the nation of its Grand Slam drought. Boasting an impressive resume has led the 20-year-old talent to get poached by the University of Georgia men’s tennis program in 2022. What’s crazier, is that his parents share a background in the sport, one that earned him the privilege to utilize helpful insight and crucial takeaways during his ascension.

The young American hails from Aliso Viejo, California, and holds an impressive Junior world ranking of No. 25. His laudable string of results mapped him a route inside the ATP Top 600 at a career-best No. 597. While numbers are one thing, Michelsen hasn’t been shy of scripting a noteworthy resume. He lifted the 2022 Wimbledon boys’ doubles title alongside countryman Sebastian Gorzny. Achieving this feat had a great impact on him. “Holding a Wimbledon trophy, even as a junior, was super cool for me. I never thought it would happen. It’s by far my favorite moment in tennis.” And thanks to his strong showcase in the ITF and Challenger-level circuit, he also clinched an ATP Challenger title in Chicago the same year.

However, tennis wasn’t always his first choice. Michelsen tried his hand at baseball and soccer but with time, he had to decide which direction to for. Seeing that his mother, Sondra, was a retired teacher who played tennis for the San Diego State University team that won the Big West Conference Tennis Championships, the American used that to his advantage and trained with her till he was 15, ultimately debuting in the U.S. junior circuit later. During her playing years with Diego Uni, Sondra was also awarded the prestigious Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship in 1989. Moreover, his father boasts similar imposing credentials.

His father Erik represented the University of Redlands, where he was a three-time All-American. However, it was his mother who inspired him the most. Addressing the topic, Michlesen said: “She taught me how to play and I was hitting with her almost every day until I was 15 or 16. My earliest tennis memory was when I was four and it started raining and I was crying to her because I couldn’t play.” For the uninitiated, the American player isn’t the only child in his family. He has a brother, Jake, who is three years older than him.

Currently in action at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Michelsen addressed how he wouldn’t replicate a specific moment that happened during his hard-fought round-robin opener victory against Nishesh Basavareddy.

Alex Michelsen on disastrous serve-break moment at ATP Next Gen – ‘Going to see that a million times over’

American sensation Alex Michelsen was forced to shrug off an ‘Oh no’ moment during his round-robin opening round clash against compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy. Though he delivered a four-set victory, there’s one thing he doesn’t want to repeat. Notably, when he was serving for the third set at 3-2, 40/30, Michelsen failed to capitalize on a volley smash after working hard to earn that dominating position on the net. Squandering the simple opportunity ultimately ended with him losing his service game.

In a post-match presser, Michlesen addressed the unfortunate incident saying, “It was a tough moment. I am probably going to see that a million times later when I open Instagram. I thought he wasn’t going to get it back and then I didn’t want to reach over the net and smash it, so I went to drop it but I was a little tight when I saw it come back over and I just missed. I am really happy with the way I re-grouped.”

With the opening round victory in the pocket, Michelsen will next lock horns with Shang Juncheng as he looks to further his agenda in Jeddah on Thursday, December 19.