Alex Michelsen is a 20-year-old American professional tennis player born on August 25, 2004, in Laguna Hills, California.
He recently made headlines by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2023 Australian Open runner-up, in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open.
This victory marked his first win over a top-20 player in a Grand Slam tournament.
Michelsen turned professional in 2023 after initially committing to play college tennis at the University of Georgia.
He is coached by Eric Nunez and has achieved significant milestones, including winning his first Challenger title and reaching the final of the 2023 Newport ATP 250.
Parents
Alex’s parents, Erik and Sondra, are both former college tennis players.
His mother, Sondra, played for San Diego State University and received the Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship in 1989.
His father, Erik, was a three-time All-American at the University of Redlands.
They introduced Alex to tennis at a young age, and he credits them with influencing his playing style, combining his mother’s baseline game with his father’s serve-and-volley approach.
Career
Michelsen started gaining recognition during his junior career, highlighted by winning the 2022 Wimbledon boys’ doubles title.
This success helped him gain experience and recognition at a high level.
Initially, he committed to play college tennis at the University of Georgia, but he decided to turn professional instead, focusing on developing his skills on the ATP circuit.
Michelsen gained valuable experience by competing on the UTR Pro Tennis Tour, which allowed him to face a variety of opponents and improve his game.
He then transitioned to competing in ATP events, where he quickly made an impact.
Notably, he reached the final of the 2023 Newport ATP 250, which was one of his first significant performances on the ATP Tour.
Additionally, he won his first ATP Challenger title in Knoxville, further solidifying his position as a rising talent in tennis.
Recently, Michelsen qualified for the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals, a prestigious tournament for young players. This qualification highlighted his growth and potential.
He achieved a career-high ATP ranking of No. 73, reflecting his consistent performance and improvement over time.
In 2025, he made headlines by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round of the Australian Open.
This win marked his first victory over a top-20 player in a Grand Slam tournament and underscored his ability to compete against top-level opponents.
