Alex Michelsen’s free-skating plan against Jannik Sinner: ‘I have nothing to lose’ | ATP Tour

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Michelsen’s plan to swing free against Sinner: ‘I have nothing to lose’

The young American is looking forward to the first game against the World No

August 14, 2024

At 5 am in California on the day of the finals of the Australian Open, Alex Michelsen was awake due to jet lag following his trip to Australia – he made the third round in the first major tournament of the year.

America’s #NextGenATP managed to catch the end of an unforgettable clash between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, where Sinner met in two sets to claim his first major trophy.

“The level he got in the fifth set of his first Grand Slam final was very good,” Michelsen told ATPTour.com.

After defeating Tallon Griekspoor in three sets on Tuesday, 19-year-old Michelsen will play Sinner for the first time in the second round of the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. I have nothing to lose,” said Michelsen. “I’m going to go out and try my best to be comfortable and happy, we’ll see what happens.”

The American has never practiced with his Italian teammate. “Maybe that will help me a little bit. [He] He never saw my ball,” he said. “I’m sure I know more about him than he knows about me. So I think maybe that will help me too.”

The first time Michelsen heard about Sinner was during the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. The low-ranked Italian lifted the trophy in Milan.

“He won Next Gen and I was like, ‘Oh, this guy’s totally nuts’,” Michelsen said. “I was like, ‘Okay,’. I’m sure he’ll do the same thing to me, just hit the ground running.”

The No. 57 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is just two spots off a career-high. He has played two matches against Top 10 opponents, going 1-1, including a win against World No. 9 Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos.

But even the American knows that he will face a tough test from Sinner. Michelsen watches a lot of tennis on television and knows how well the Italian has done this season, especially compared to the beginning of his career.

“I don’t think his game has changed that much. “I think he’s getting a lot stronger and a lot faster and a lot stronger,” Michelsen said. “But for me, I don’t think his game has changed that much. I think he has changed some things. His serve got better, and maybe his forehand got better, but the way he played didn’t change.”

The clash of the home favorite and the top seed will take place in the center field. It’s an opportunity Michelsen is looking forward to.

“I love it. I’m honestly happy either way,” Michelsen said. “You put me in Court 25 in the trenches, I’m happy. You put me in center court, I’m very happy. So it’s going to be fun. I hope they help me because I’m American.”

The young man explained that because this is Michelsen’s first Top 5 opponent, it stands out as the biggest game he has played so far in his early career.

“I played Zverev against Rod Laver when he was number six in the world, and I was playing World No. 1,” said Michelsen. “I’ve never played against anyone in the Top 5, so it will be something new, that’s for sure.”

The energetic Californian has enjoyed the support she has received throughout the North American summer. When he broke last season, “no one really knew who I was”. Michelsen is “very happy” that the fans have responded well to him in 2024.

The youngster is excited to make his debut in Cincinnati and is thrilled that the event is being held in Mason. He prefers to live away from big cities.

The man he faces on Wednesday, Sinner, is one of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF alumni. In second place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, Michelsen is trying to qualify for the second year in a row. Two former champions (Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz) are in the Top 3 of the PIF ATP Rankings today.

“Both of those guys won [the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF]. It is very encouraging. If I can win this tournament, put my name and theirs, that would be great. But that is not easy to do, winning the competition is not easy at all,” said Michelsen. “So we’ll see, but I think being part of the Next Gen program is very good for my credibility as well.”

Regardless of the outcome of Michelsen’s clash with Sinner, there is no doubt about the kind of effort the American will give.

“I’m going to go out there and compete with my a** every chance I get,” Michelsen said. “I will never give it up, and I’m proud to compete.”