Alex Michelsen is ready for the moment.
The 20-year-old American tennis player is set to play Wimbledon for the second time in his career as a professional.
3
He won the won the 2022 Wimbledon Boys’ doubles title with Sebastian Gorzny as a junior, so he isn’t a complete stranger to one of the sport’s greatest tournaments.
His first taste of Wimbledon as a professional came last year, losing to Lloyd Harris in an epic five-set match in the first round.
He took a two-set lead, but lost the next three sets in heartbreaking fashion, giving the then 19-year-old a taste of the bright lights.
Michelsen is hoping to capture some of the Wimbledon magic he found back in 2022, as he takes on Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round on Tuesday.
Michelsen is currently ranked 32nd in the world and enters Wimbledon on the back of a semifinals appearance at the Mallorca Championships.
However, the babyface is known for much more than just what he has done on the court.
His age and where he currently ranks is impressive, but tennis may not even be his favorite thing to do with his time.
That’s because he has a rare and unique hobby he finds just as much joy in, and that’s collecting rare coins.
In fact, Michelsen’s collection of rare coins exceeds the $10,000 benchmark.
Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Michelsen lobbied for a few AO coins that he could take home.
3
3
“I want to collect these AO coins, but they won’t let me,” Michelsen said. “It’s tough out here, it’s tough.”
When asked if he would want one, Michelsen didn’t hesitate.
“I would love one, yeah. I’d throw a fiesta if I got a coin.”
That isn’t the only interesting note on Michelsen.
In fact, the young American was set to attend the University of Georgia and play tennis at the collegiate level before deciding to turn pro.
Both of his parents played in college, and he seemed destined to follow in their footsteps, while even pursuing a finance degree and choosing a potentially different career altogether.
However, none of that came to pass, as Michelsen made the decision to forgo school and immediately turn pro.
A decision that has paid off handsomely for Michelsen as he has already made nearly $3 million in prize money, including singles and doubles combined.
Not bad for someone who isn’t even legally allowed to buy a beer in his own country.
Michelsen will now shift all of his focus and attention on Kecmanovic, as he looks to advance to the second round of Wimbledon for the first time in his young career.
