American
rising star Alex Michelsen wrapped up an impressive season and reflected on his
conversations with Jannik Sinner during the Cincinnati Open, where the Italian
offered him advice. The 20-year-old climbed from World No. 97 to a career-best
year-end ranking of No. 41 this season.
In
Cincinnati, Michelsen progressed through qualifying and reached the second
round, where he faced none other than the World No. 1. Despite a strong
performance, he fell 4-6, 5-7, paving the way for Sinner to ultimately win the
title.
A few weeks
later, Michelsen had a chance for revenge at the US Open, again meeting Sinner
in the second round. This time, Sinner dominated, winning 6-4, 6-0, 6-2, in the
route to his second Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
Michelsen shares Sinner’s encouragement
In a recent
interview with the ATP, Michelsen opened up about his encounters with Sinner
and their conversations during the American swing.
“I have played Sinner twice now. I went close to him in Cincy, and at the US
Open, he absolutely waxed me,” the American said.
“But I
remember we talked a lot in Cincinnati because obviously, he won that
tournament. And I was actually there for doubles and made the final,” he added.
“So I was seeing him every day in the locker room. And we chatted. He actually
told me I was saying sorry too much because I tried to keg him. He knew I was
going after him. And he’s like, ‘It’s a good play, don’t say sorry.’
“He is
actually a super nice guy. Unfortunately, I am 0-2 against him. But I guess
that’s okay because he is the number one player in the world.”
Reflecting
on his remarkable season, Michelsen discussed reaching two finals but falling
short of claiming his maiden ATP title. In July, he made his second consecutive
Newport final, losing to Marcos Giron in a three-set battle. A month later, he
was runner-up in Winston-Salem, falling to Lorenzo Sonego 0-6, 3-6.
“The tour
is absolutely brutal. You lose every week. I haven’t won a tournament this
year. I had a match point in the Newport final, and I got aced on the match
point. It was a good week,” Michelsen said.
“I feel
like last year I was winning a lot because I went from 600 to 97 in the world.
I won a lot of matches in Futures and Challengers. Even though you are not
winning every week, you are still winning a ton of matches.”
“And this
year, I think I might be 50/50. I might have the same number of wins and
losses. It is definitely tough mentally, experiencing all this for the first
time. And I think becoming a good loser, as lame as that sounds, you have got
to become a good loser just because it is going to happen all the time,” the
American No. 7 concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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