Rising Star Alex Michelsen Shines at Dallas Open After Davis Cup Debut

FRISCO, Texas—Alex Michelsen, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, is making waves at the Dallas Open just days after a triumphant Davis Cup debut. Fresh off helping the United States sweep Chinese Taipei 4-0, Michelsen is now focused on his first-round match against Cameron Norrie.

Michelsen, ranked No. 36 in the world, described his Davis Cup experience as “the best tennis week on tour.” He played a pivotal role in the U.S. victory, defeating Wu Tung-Lin 7-6 (4), 6-3. “Getting to be with the boys every single day, playing cards, practicing—it was fantastic,” Michelsen told TENNIS.com. “There’s nothing more meaningful in tennis than playing for your country.”

The Aliso Viejo, Calif., native has been on a meteoric rise since his breakout performance at the Australian Open, where he reached the round of 16 with wins over Top 20 players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov. His success in Melbourne set the stage for his Davis Cup debut and now the Dallas Open, where he is seeded seventh.

Michelsen acknowledges the challenges of managing his body during a grueling tour schedule. “I did not do as good of a job as I wanted to last year,” he admitted. “This year, I’m definitely going to have to do a lot more to prepare my body for long flights and trips.”

His opponent, Cameron Norrie, a former TCU standout, has struggled recently, losing three of his last five matches. Michelsen, however, is riding high, having won four of his last five matches, including his Davis Cup victory. The young American is favored to win, with bookmakers predicting a straight-sets victory.

The Dallas Open, upgraded to an ATP 500 event, features 14 Americans in the main draw, including Michelsen. He has previously come close to winning on home soil, with runner-up finishes in Newport and Winston-Salem. “I always want to play well in the States,” Michelsen said. “We’re going to have a good swing in North America for the next two months.”

As Michelsen continues to rise through the ranks, his performance in Dallas could further cement his status as one of tennis’s brightest young stars.