Michelsen feeling good about Miami despite rapid weight loss

Fast-rising American star Alex Michelsen arrives at the Miami Open presented by Itau 15 pounds lighter than his normal fighting weight, but feeling revived and ready to tear up the courts at Hard Rock Stadium.

After succumbing to food poisoning in Acapulco and then a suspected virus in Indian Wells, it’s been a rough few weeks for the World No. 33, who is just one spot below his career-high PIF ATP Ranking after starting the year 11-7.

“I pulled out of Indian Wells Sunday afternoon and then didn't hit a ball until Monday afternoon here in Miami, so that’s the longest period without picking up a racquet since the off-season,” Michelsen, 20, said.

“Although I’ve lost a lot of weight I actually felt pretty good. I was hitting the ball really well yesterday in my first hit. I was hitting the ball great. Sometimes a little time off helps you. I feel pretty refreshed, so we'll see how this week goes.”

Michelsen won 34 tour-level matches last season but has just 81 points to defend during the next 90 days, putting him in position to break into the Top 30.

Reflecting on his retirement against Daniil Medvedev after just two games at the BNP Paribas Open, Michelsen says he regrets his decision to take the court for the third-round match.

“I thought maybe I could have given it a shot, but Medvedev is also the worst kind of player when you're sick, so I shouldn't have even stepped out there,” he said. “They booed me a little bit. I probably would have booed as well. I shouldn't have stepped out there.”

Seeded 32 in Miami, Michelsen enjoys a bye in the first round and will play the winner of Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli and American qualifier Brandon Holt. Last year he reached the second round in Miami.