MELBOURNE, Australia — In a stunning turn of events, Alex Michelsen marked a significant milestone in his early career by taking down 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round of the Australian Open. He was quick to acknowledge where his success originated.
The 20-year-old American displayed remarkable composure as he navigated through tense moments in the fourth set, ultimately securing a thrilling 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over the seasoned Greek player, Tsitsipas, who boasts a career-high ranking of No. 3 and has appeared in two Grand Slam finals.
Starting his tennis journey at the tender age of three, Michelsen spent countless hours on the court with his mother, Sondra, a former college tennis player and dedicated school teacher.
“I’m sure she’s tuning in right now,” Michelsen expressed to the audience at John Cain Arena, one of Melbourne Park’s main show courts. “We would hit for hours, starting with 30 minutes just rallying down the middle, before going cross-court for another mile.”
“She never missed a ball — she’s truly amazing. I wouldn’t be standing here without her support, so a huge thank you to Mom. Love you!”
Ranked No. 42, Michelsen made waves last year during his Australian Open debut, reaching the third round. However, he faced challenges at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open, exiting in the early rounds.
With his victory over Tsitsipas, this was Michelsen’s first triumph against a top-20 player at a Grand Slam event.
Against Tsitsipas, Michelsen played boldly, launching powerful returns — including three critical ones in a single game late in the fourth set that enabled him to secure a crucial break.
Despite feeling the pressure on his serve, yielding two hard-fought breaks in the fourth set, he maintained his composure in the final game. He concluded the match with an impressive tally of eight aces and eight double faults, alongside 46 winners against 40 unforced errors.
“Above all, I was focused on staying composed during the match. I knew it would be a battle until the end,” he reflected. “My serve faltered a bit in the fourth set, but I’m overjoyed with the outcome. It’s all about having the right mindset.”