
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 18, 2025
Alex Michelsen is playing his sixth Grand Slam, and he’s only 20 years old, but already the Southern California native is a force to be reckoned with. Michelsen, who has notched wins over 11th-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas and 19th-seeded Karen Khachanov to reach the second week at a major for the first time in Australia, has added a beefed-up forehand and stellar serving to his already lethal backhand to become a complete package on tour.

His progress has not gone unnoticed by his peers. On Saturday in Melbourne, Ben Shelton said tabbed the 41st-ranked American for big things.
“Me and Alex are boys,” Shelton said. “I've texted him and told him he's a dog after every match that he's won because it's true. He is a dog. I think that he's going to be towards the top of the game very soon. I just love the way he plays. I love watching him.”
Shelton, who also reached the round of 16 with a four-set win over Lorenzo Musetti (he faces Gael Monfils), has taken not of the improvements that Michelsen has made to his game.
Coached by former Grand Slam semifinalist Robby Ginepri, Michelsen has stepped up the aggression on his forehand in a big way of late. The American will face Alex de Minaur on Day 9 in Melbourne.
“I think that his improvements on the forehand side have been insane,” Shelton said. “His movement, a lot of improvement. His serve. Obviously the backhand is cash, and he loves to come to the net.”
Shelton, who called Michelsen “one of my guys that I love to hang around with” says he is planning to play doubles with Michelsen at Indian Wells and Miami.
For now they’ll look to continue to make waves in Melbourne, where they are joined by fellow Americans Tommy Paul (who defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the quarterfinals) and Learner Tien (who faces Lorenzo Sonego) in the round of 16.