Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien may be getting all the media hype but Alex Michelsen may actually be the unofficial top American player.
21 year old Michelsen knocked off official top American Taylor Fritz today 64 76 at BNP Paribas Open and he is now 2-0 career vs. the world no. 7.
Michelsen is ranked 44 and he’s also won the last three meetings vs. world no. 27 Learner Tien, all in straight sets, after losing to him at 2024 NEXT Gen semifinals in five sets.
For some reason Michelsen has been overshadowed by the other more glamorous and high profile Americans – not unlike how Jim Courier was overshadowed by Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras and even Michael Chang.
Michelsen prefers to do his talking with his Babolat racquet and his results which include three ATP finals – two in Newort on grass and one in Winston-Salem – rather than with fancy sponsor deals and influencer girlfriends.
To have a dominant record so far against Fritz and Tien may surprise many but it defines Michelsen’s capacity to slay the big dragons who stand in his way to tennis greatness.
It will get no easier next round 4R for Michelsen as he will duel with Daniil Medvedev, who has already beaten him three times out of three matches.
A former ATP champion Sander Groen said this week Tien has the best chance to be the next American to win a Grand Slam and if that is true, what does that make Michelsen who has beaten Tien three times in a row?
Alex Michelsen · ATP · Babolat · BNP Paribas Open