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 up 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 find out how life on the ATP Tour all provides up for the Californian, masking matters together with the American he considers to be his greatest rival, his present greatest profession purpose, and the off-court ‘advantages’ of being a tennis participant.

What is your favorite ATP Tour event to play and why?
I’m going to should say Tokyo. I really like Tokyo. I believe it’s the very best metropolis on the earth and the meals is unbelievable. Everything on web site is ideal, the persons are superb, the resort is nice. It was my first time in Asia final 12 months once I went, and I simply thought it was all so cool.

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

Who is your individual best rival?
There are guys I get pleasure from enjoying as a result of I win, however… I haven’t 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’s at all times enjoyable to play him.

Has there been a novel 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 by no means actually was speculated to be an expert tennis participant and it was similar to a second of awe. I noticed myself at No. 99 on the earth and was similar to, ‘That’s loopy’. Then successful the largest title of my life up to now on clay [in Estoril], that was fairly superb.

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

How thrilling is the chase?
It’s thrilling for certain. Every week you’re like, ‘Okay, maybe 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 sport [in 2024] and I sat fairly shut and watched one other Clippers sport final 12 months 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.