Alex Michelsen: Rising star turned US Open quarterfinalist | The Sit-Down
Description: This week we bring you an episode from the vault featuring American youngster Alex Michelsen. In late 2024 he sat at a career-high world No.41 ahead of his campaign at Next Gen ATP Finals, joining Viv and Matt during a rare break at home in California to discuss his meteoric rise. Michelsen began season 2024 ranked 97th and soared thanks to reaching two ATP finals — Newport and Winston-Salem — and winning more than 30 singles matches, including against top-10 opponent Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos. Now, the 22-year-old is on the brink of the top 30 after breaking through for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open, where he ultimately fell to France’s Tiafoe in a match that ended with one of the 2026 tournament’s most iconic moments. (Episode originally published 16 December 2024)
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0:00 Intro — Alex Michelsen's US Open breakthrough
2:22 Season highlights & preparing for the Jeddah Next Gen Finals
4:41 Joining tennis' Next Gen greats & this generation's rivals
7:04 American tennis' depth & working with coach Robbie Ginepri
9:45 How his parents got him into tennis
10:35 Turning pro over the college route
11:50 Describing his game — from "jumbled" to all-court
13:52 Idolizing Gael Monfils & adjusting to life on tour
15:31 Three ATP finals & his grass-court success at Newport
18:01 Standout wins over De Minaur, Fritz & facing Djokovic in Shanghai
21:08 Australian Open breakthrough & Aussie crowds vs. American crowds
24:11 Cracking the next barrier & life off the court Close description
Subscribe to keep up with the latest from the Australian Open: http://bit.ly/AustralianOpenTV
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianOpen
X: https://twitter.com/australianopen
Instagram: https://instagram.com/australianopen/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ausopen
Website: https://ausopen.com/
Follow live coverage of all matches, breaking news, updates, highlights and more on:
Nine (Australia): https://wwos.nine.com.au
Eurosport (Europe): https://www.eurosport.com
ESPN (Americas): https://www.espn.com
beIN Sports (South East Asia, MENA): https://www.beinsports.com
And visit: https://www.ausopen.com/broadcasters for all our broadcast partners worldwide
0:00 Intro — Alex Michelsen's US Open breakthrough
2:22 Season highlights & preparing for the Jeddah Next Gen Finals
4:41 Joining tennis' Next Gen greats & this generation's rivals
7:04 American tennis' depth & working with coach Robbie Ginepri
9:45 How his parents got him into tennis
10:35 Turning pro over the college route
11:50 Describing his game — from "jumbled" to all-court
13:52 Idolizing Gael Monfils & adjusting to life on tour
15:31 Three ATP finals & his grass-court success at Newport
18:01 Standout wins over De Minaur, Fritz & facing Djokovic in Shanghai
21:08 Australian Open breakthrough & Aussie crowds vs. American crowds
24:11 Cracking the next barrier & life off the court Close description