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Journey To Jeddah: Tall order Michelsen returns as second seed
American has leaned into health this season
November 19, 2024
ATP Tour
Alex Michelsen is aiming to make his second look in Jeddah.
By Arthur Kapetanakis
Alex Michelsen is ready to return to the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF armed with an additional 12 months of expertise, one other inch of peak and 20 extra kilos of muscle. Having entered Jeddah shortly after his High 100 breakthrough within the PIF ATP Rankings final 12 months, the American has been within the High 50 since August.
Not unhealthy for a younger man who thought skilled tennis was a pipe dream till he lately burst onto the scene.
“Two years in the past this time I by no means thought I’d be an expert tennis participant,” stated the 20-year-old. “I used to be at all times stable. I used to be by no means too good. I wasn’t like a Carlos [Alcaraz] or a Holger [Rune], who everybody knew was good. I used to be good, however I wasn’t nice.”
Following a breakout run to the Newport closing final season, Michelsen was seeded fourth in Jeddah, the place he misplaced two fifth-set tie-breaks and missed out on the knockout rounds. After reaching the Newport closing once more this season — making him the youngest participant since Alcaraz to achieve consecutive finals at an ATP Tour occasion — he returns this 12 months because the second seed. Going through the 6-foot-5 Michelsen will likely be a tall activity for any opponent.
“It is a large stage. The highest eight 20-and-under gamers on this planet,” Michelsen previewed. “It is robust, however I believe I am going to know to deal with it a bit higher this 12 months.”
Michelsen stated he feels stronger and fitter than ever after dedicating himself to health work since late 2023. He has put within the laborious hours with health coach Rodney Harrison, who educated Robby Ginepri — Michelsen’s present coach — when he was on the ATP Tour.
“I believe that the health club work is simply as necessary, if no more necessary than the tennis stuff now, at the very least for me,” stated Michelsen, noting that coordination is essential for achievement in his tall and lanky body.
Whereas Michelsen’s health continues to enhance, Ginepri calls his tennis IQ his greatest asset.
“He loves the sport,” stated Ginepri. “If he is not enjoying, he is watching it. If he is not watching it, he is enthusiastic about it. He is a scholar of the sport, which is nice to see at his age.”
Earlier than his on the spot success on the ATP Tour, Michelsen was contemplating changing into a scholar of a unique sort and in search of a enterprise diploma in school. As a substitute, his inventory is rising on the professional degree.
“Being on the Tour is much more enjoyable,” he stated. “I am tremendous pleased with the choice I made.”
