Things are happening fast for California teen Alex Michelsen.
Three weeks ago, he was No. 250 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Two weeks ago, he won the Chicago Challenger, taking out former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. Last week, he advanced to the Newport final in his second ATP Tour event, a run that saw the 18-year-old surge to World No. 140.
And he’s not about to stop there.
“If you told me two weeks ago that I would move from 250 to 140 I don’t think I would have thought it could happen,” Michelsen told ATPTour.com Monday at the Atlanta Open, where he has a special exempt entry into the main draw. “I would have been pretty happy, but it comes down to all the hard work I’ve been doing. That’s why it’s happening.”
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Becoming acquainted with Georgia has been on the cards for a while: Michelsen had already committed to play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. But competing in the main draw of the Atlanta Open would have seemed a long shot until the past couple of weeks.
Now, Atlanta could play a pivotal role in his decision whether to go to college or to turn pro. A second consecutive deep run at an ATP 250 would only strengthen the thinking that he’s ready for the Tour.
“To be honest, I’m not 100 per cent sure [what I’m going to do]. But the decision will need to be made sooner rather than later,” he said. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to my parents because they want to do that when I get home. So for right now I’m just waiting and focussing on my tennis.
“Looking ahead to the summer now that I’m 140, I’ll definitely have some opportunities to get some wild cards. It should be a fantastic time leading up to the US Open.”
Last week in Newport Michelsen took out defending champion Maxime Cressy, World No. 59 countryman Mackenzie McDonald and four-time tournament champion John Isner. It’s little wonder that Michelsen says that grass is his favourite surface.
“Newport showed that I can hang with the level of a great player like Mackenzie McDonald and with John, who is the best server to ever play the game. Being able to hang with them and beat them was was pretty cool,” he said.
“I’ve always liked my time on grass and especially after Newport that’s my favourite surface.
But the focus is now on hard court and hopefully we can make another run. I’ve won nine out of my last 10 matches so hopefully we can keep that good record up.”
Isner, who played four years at the University of Georgia and has never regretted his decision to delay turning pro, feels that Michelsen is further along in his development at 18 and may be ready for the Tour, if that is the path he chooses.
“He’s got a very good game and seems to be a very confident player,” Isner said. “He strikes me as a guy who every time he laces up the shoes he’s going to go out there and compete and believe that he can win, which will serve him well in the long run.
“He’s had a lot of success and he’s got a lot of momentum right now. It’s totally up to him and I don’t think there is a wrong decision, whichever way he goes. I won’t try to sway him one way or the other.”
Michelsen will meet Cressy in the first round for the second consecutive week when they play third match on Grandstand Tuesday.