The 2026 US Open has produced plenty of surprises, but few have been as unexpected as the rise of Alex Michelsen.
The 22-year-old American has stormed into his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal without dropping a set, earning a place on Arthur Ashe Stadium for a blockbuster all-American showdown against No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe. The match is scheduled to take place after the women’s singles quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova.
Fans can expect the Tiafoe vs. Michelsen match after 2 p.m. ET.
Yet Michelsen’s breakthrough has not come with the kind of hype that often surrounds America’s next tennis star. In fact, the California native has spent much of his career flying under the radar, even as he developed into one of the country’s most promising young players.
Simon Bruty/USTA via Getty Images
Away from the spotlight, Michelsen’s story includes a supportive family with its own tennis pedigree, a girlfriend who helps him deal with the isolation of life on tour, a major decision to walk away from college, a new coaching partnership and even a surprisingly unusual hobby.
Alex Michelsen’s Girlfriend: His Support System on the Road
Michelsen has kept his relationship relatively private, but he has spoken openly about the importance of having his girlfriend, Caroline, around during the demanding tennis season.
For a young player constantly moving between tournaments, hotels and training facilities, the loneliness of professional tennis can be difficult to escape. Michelsen has found that having someone close to him provides an important break from the intensity of the tour.
After spending around six weeks apart earlier this season, Michelsen explained how much he valued being able to spend time with her again.
“We’ve been spending a lot of quality time together because I didn’t see her for about six weeks before this. So, I’ve been spending a lot of time with her.”
Their time together is deliberately simple. Rather than constantly discussing tennis, Michelsen enjoys being able to switch off and watch matches with her.
“We’ll just chill out, watch the matches. It’s a lot more fun to have company in the room. I like being alone, but it’s so much better to have her company with me.”
For Michelsen, that support has become an important part of handling the emotional demands of the ATP Tour.
“Support is big… having the support is crucial.”
Alex Michelsen’s Parents: Tennis Runs in the Family
Michelsen was born on August 25, 2004, in Laguna Hills, California, and grew up in a family that already understood the demands of competitive tennis. An American by birth, he is of Caucasian/White ethnicity, rooted deeply in the Southern California sports landscape
His mother, Sondra Michelsen, was a former Division I tennis player at San Diego State University, while his father, Erik Michelsen, was a three-time All-American tennis player at the University of Redlands.
Sondra also played a major role in Alex’s early development, serving as his on-court coach until he was around 15.
Despite that background, however, Michelsen says becoming a professional tennis player was not something his family pushed on him from an early age.
In fact, the possibility was barely discussed until he was a teenager.
“No one ever really told me I could be professional until I was 16 years old. Never talked about in my house. No coaches brought it up to me. No one ever brought it up. It was never really an idea for me.”
That makes his eventual decision to pursue professional tennis all the more remarkable.
The Coach Who First Saw Michelsen’s Potential
One of the people who helped change Michelsen’s perception of his own potential was coach Jay Leavitt.
During one of their early-morning practices, Leavitt told the teenager that he believed Michelsen had what it took to become a Top 100 player.
Michelsen initially wasn’t convinced.
“I was, like, ‘Nah.’ He was, like, ‘I think you could.'” Leavitt’s prediction eventually proved to be correct. “He was the first one to tell me. He ended up being right.”
Michelsen’s professional coaching setup has evolved since those early days. After working with former American pro Robby Ginepri and strategist Craig Boynton, he is now coached by former World No. 30 Kristof Vliegen.
The partnership has focused on sharpening Michelsen’s return game, improving his transition play and making better use of his imposing 6-foot-4 frame.
That development has been on full display at the US Open, where Michelsen has dismantled opponents without dropping a set on his way to the quarterfinals.
Why Alex Michelsen Never Played College Tennis
Michelsen’s path could have looked very different.
He was one of the most highly regarded junior players in the United States and had committed to play collegiate tennis for the Georgia Bulldogs at the University of Georgia.
But professional tennis suddenly became a realistic option.
Just days before he was due to begin college, Michelsen made the decision to abandon his scholarship and turn professional instead.
It was a major gamble. Rather than taking the traditional American route through college tennis, he chose to test himself immediately against the professional game.
The decision has since paid off, with Michelsen establishing himself on the ATP Tour and now reaching the biggest Grand Slam stage of his career.
Michelsen Loves Being Under the Radar
Despite his spectacular run in New York, Michelsen does not appear particularly interested in becoming the center of attention.
If anything, he seems to enjoy the fact that expectations around him remain relatively low.
Asked about spending much of the tournament under the radar, Michelsen was remarkably straightforward.
“I love being under the radar. It’s great.” He added: “I think I’ve been pretty under the radar.”
That mentality has arguably helped Michelsen throughout his breakout campaign. Rather than carrying the burden of being labeled America’s next great tennis hope, he has been able to play with comparatively little external pressure.
And that is particularly interesting considering just how recently the idea of becoming a professional tennis player entered his own mind.
The Surprising Hobby That Keeps Michelsen Grounded
When Michelsen steps away from tennis, his interests are not necessarily what one might expect from a professional athlete.
He is an avid coin collector, having reportedly amassed a collection of more than 10,000 coins from different countries and historical periods.
The hobby offers him a quiet escape from the constant travel and competition of professional tennis.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Geoff Burke
Michelsen is also a major pop-culture fan, with Harry Potter among his favorite literary escapes and Star Wars one of his favorite cinematic universes.
That contrast says plenty about the American’s personality. On court, Michelsen has developed a reputation for his aggressive baseline game and imposing physical presence. Away from tennis, he has found comfort in hobbies that allow him to slow down and disconnect.
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