Who is Alex Michelsen? All about the son of ex-college tennis stars from California who is now taking the Australian Open 2025 by storm

Alex Michelsen scored one of the biggest wins of his career yet on Saturday, taking down top 20 player Karen Khachanov in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open in straight sets. It is the second upset he has produced at the tournament so far, having previously beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round in a four-set thriller.

Michelsen, in doing so, has reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. 20 years of age, the American was destined for greatness from a very young age. Born in California in August 2004, he started playing tennis when he was just three years old.

In 2022, he won both singles and doubles at the Easter Bowl, one of the major tournaments on the junior level. He also won the Wimbledon boys’ title in doubles that year.

Michelsen was committed to playing for the University of Georgia, but decided to go pro instant at the last minute. It was a deviation from the career strategy taken by his parents. The 20-year-old’s father, Erik, played college tennis for the University of Redlands. While he is a lawyer now, he had an enterprising career there, and was selected as an All-American thrice there.

His mother, Sondra, meanwhile played college tennis at San Diego State University. Now a retired teached, she too enjoyed a great college tennis career, winning the Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship in 1989.

Speaking to the ATP about his decision to not go to college, Michelsen had no regrets, stating that he was never a school guy in the first place.

“This is a much better life than doing that. College tennis did sound fun and it is fun. It looks awesome. But I’ve just never been a big school guy, so I’m super happy… I’m not the most social guy, either. I just like to play tennis and chill out, do my thing. I think the way I’m living my life is something I never considered growing up. And I’m still crazy happy with everything and how it’s all going,” Michelsen said.

After the win over Tsitsipas in Melbourne, Michelsen gave a shoutout to his mother Sondra, crediting her for his tennis career.

“I’m sure she’s watching. We used to hit a million balls from the baseline every day. We would just go out there. She would never miss a ball. She’s incredible. No chance I’d be here without her. Thanks mom. Love you,” he said.

Alex Michelsen is coached now by Robby Ginepri, a former World No. 20, and Jay Leavitt.

Alex Michelsen’s biggest ATP achievements so far

Prior to the fourth-round run at the 2025 Australian Open, Alex Michelsen’s best run at a Grand Slam was a third-round finish in Melbourne last year. He is yet to win a main draw match at the French Open and Wimbledon, but reached the second round at the US Open in 2024.

At the ATP 1000 level, he has gone as far as the second round at all the hard-court tournaments except for the Canadian Open. In 2024, he finished the year as the World No. 42, rising more than 50 spots during the season.

He is yet to win a title on the ATP Tour so far, despite reaching three finals. His last runner-up finish came at the 2024 Winston-Salem Open, where he fell to Lorenzo Sonego.

Edited by Shyam Kamal