Rising American ATP Star Alex Michelsen Reflects on Encounters with Jannik Sinner

Promising young tennis talent, Alex Michelsen, has shared an intriguing insight into his encounters with the current world No. 1, Jannik Sinner. The 20-year-old American revealed that Sinner offered him a unique piece of advice after their match at the Cincinnati Masters, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence during intense competition.

In their post-match discussion, Sinner told Michelsen he was apologizing too much during their match, particularly for aggressive shots aimed at his opponent. Michelsen, who regards Sinner as “a super nice guy,” admitted that the Italian’s comments left a lasting impression on him.

Facing the World No. 1

Michelsen has squared off against Sinner twice in his burgeoning career, both encounters taking place during the 2024 North American hard-court swing. The young American pushed Sinner in their first meeting at the Cincinnati Masters, ultimately falling 4-6, 5-7 in the second round. Despite the loss, Michelsen made a strong impression, qualifying for the main draw and challenging the eventual champion.

Later that summer, the pair met again in the second round of the 2024 US Open, where Sinner delivered a dominant 4-6, 0-6, 2-6 victory en route to securing his second Grand Slam title.

Reflecting on his Cincinnati experience, Michelsen said, “I went close to him in Cincy, and at the US Open, he absolutely waxed me. But I remember we talked a lot in Cincinnati. He told me I didn’t need to apologize for hitting shots at him. He said, ‘It’s a good play, don’t say sorry.’”

Learning from Losses

The rising star also discussed the mental and physical challenges of life on the ATP Tour in 2024. Michelsen candidly described the grind of professional tennis, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining momentum against top-tier competition.

“The tour is absolutely brutal. You lose every week,” Michelsen explained. “I haven’t won a tournament this year. I had a match point in the Newport final and got aced on it. It was still a good week, but it’s tough.”

Last year, Michelsen experienced a meteoric rise, climbing from world No. 600 to No. 97 by stringing together consistent victories in Futures and Challenger events. However, he admitted that 2024 has been a more balanced journey, with his win-loss record hovering around 50/50.

“You have to learn to become a good loser. As lame as that sounds, it’s important because losing happens all the time. Mentally, it’s been tough, but these experiences are helping me grow,” Michelsen added.

A Bright Future

Despite the challenges, Michelsen’s positive outlook and willingness to learn from defeats underscore his potential as a future ATP star. His encounters with Jannik Sinner, both on and off the court, have provided invaluable lessons as he continues to navigate the competitive landscape of professional tennis.

With time and experience, Alex Michelsen is poised to make a significant impact on the ATP Tour, carrying the lessons learned from matches against the world’s best into future tournaments. For now, he remains focused on growth, determined to turn hard-fought matches into victories.