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Michelsen: 'I'm the most competitive person I know'

American reflects on reaching second week of major for first time
January 19, 2025
Alex Michelsen is into the second week of a major for the first time.
Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
Alex Michelsen is into the second week of a major for the first time. By Andrew Eichenholz

If Alex Michelsen has not shown his competitive spirit enough with his tremendous effort on court, the two-time Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF qualifier certainly did during a fun basketball excursion on Sunday ahead of his fourth-round match at the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old visited TOPCOURT at Melbourne Park to shoot some hoops before taking on eighth seed and home favourite Alex de Minaur inside Rod Laver Arena on Monday evening.

“I'm the most competitive person that I know. I just compete in everything,” Michelsen said. “I just got snipped in HORSE by someone that works at the Australian Open. I play video games and I lose, I get mad. I play tennis matches. I don't like losing, it's just in my blood.”

Alex Michelsen is into the second week of a major for the first time.
Photo: Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
It has been a breakthrough tournament for Michelsen, whose previous-best run at a major came here last year, when he made the third round. This edition, the three-time ATP Tour finalist has defeated 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, James McCabe and 19th seed Karen Khachanov.

“It's probably the most fun I've had, just because I'm winning a lot, and winning is fun for me,” Michelsen said. “So I'm having lots, that's the answer. Lots of fun.”

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After ousting Khachanov, Michelsen apologised to his mother during the post-match interview for not spending much time on the phone with her because of how busy he has been.

“I called mom for like 15 minutes in the locker room after the match,” said Michelsen, who is now up to No. 35 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. “She was pumped.”

It All Adds Up

Michelsen’s close friend Learner Tien, another Californian, is also into the second week after qualifying and then eliminating Camilo Ugo Carabelli, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev and Corentin Moutet. That has made it an even more special tournament for the American.

“It's awesome. [He is] one of my best friends. We train together every single day,” Michelsen said. “Incredible to have someone like him doing what he's doing. I saw he's up to 80 in the live rankings. He's going to break Top 100, which is unreal. Super stoked for him.”

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