It All Adds Up for Alex Michelsen | ATP Tour

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It All Adds Up for Alex Michelsen: Up shut with the Clippers & taking over the title chase

American takes on Sinner in Miami fourth spherical on Tuesday

March 23, 2026

Alex Michelsen is making inroads on dwelling soil as soon as once more on the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The 21-year-old, whose three ATP Tour championship-match appearances up to now all got here within the United States, will on Tuesday tackle Jannik Sinner for a quarter-final spot on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion in Florida.

ATPTour.com caught up with Michelsen to learn the way life on the ATP Tour all provides up for the Californian, overlaying subjects together with the American he considers to be his greatest rival, his present greatest profession aim, and the off-court ‘benefits’ of being a tennis participant.

What is your favourite ATP Tour match to play and why?
I’m going to must say Tokyo. I like Tokyo. I feel it is one of the best metropolis on the planet and the meals is unbelievable. Everything on website is ideal, the individuals are superb, the lodge is nice. It was my first time in Asia final yr once I went, and I simply thought it was all so cool.

What is your favourite tennis rivalry?
I liked watching the Novak and Fed rivalry. I watched that 2019 Wimbledon closing once I had a damaged ankle. I sat on the sofa and watched each level of that match. That was loopy. I liked watching these guys go into battle.

Who is your personal best rival?
There are guys I get pleasure from taking part in as a result of I win, however… I have not actually performed anybody greater than like thrice on Tour. I must say Learner [Tien]as a result of we performed a bunch in juniors… It’s a enjoyable little rivalry. We’re very shut buddies too, so it is at all times enjoyable to play him.

Has there been a singular or standout second in your profession up to now?
When I broke Top 100. I gained the Challenger in Knoxville and I used to be fairly over the moon. I used to be by no means actually speculated to be knowledgeable tennis participant and it was identical to a second of awe. I noticed myself at No. 99 on the planet and it was identical to, ‘That’s loopy.’ Then successful the most important title of my life up to now on clay [in Estoril]that was fairly superb.

What’s the most important factor you’ve got been chasing?
Winning an ATP Tour title. I’ve misplaced three finals, so I’m simply seeking to get a kind of below my belt. That could be superb.

How thrilling is the chase?
It’s thrilling for certain. Every week you might be like, ‘Okay, perhaps this week.’

Is there something you bought to do solely as a result of you’re a tennis participant?
I met Russell Westbrook at a Clippers recreation [in 2024] and I sat fairly shut and watched one other Clippers recreation final yr when Steph [Curry] was there. That was tremendous cool, in all probability a number of the coolest issues I’ve completed as a result of I play tennis.