Michelsen: "Until I was 17, I never thought I'd become a professional player".

Alex Michelsen is one of the players who wasn't necessarily expected in the second week of this 2025 edition of the Australian Open.

After ousting Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 1st round in four sets, the American stunned again on Saturday by eliminating No.19 seed Karen Khachanov.

In confident mood since the start of the tournament, Michelsen, who will be ranked 35th in the world at best if eliminated in the Round of 16, spoke of his late start in the world of professional tennis:

"I didn't think I was going to become a professional player until I was 17. It's not the way I grew up and the way I looked at tennis.

When I was a kid, I was in awe of all the players who played in the biggest stadiums around the world. But I never saw that as an option.

When Covid came along, I started playing very well in university tournaments. Then my coach told me I should take part in ITF junior tournaments.

I finished 25th on the junior circuit, then moved on to Futures, Challengers... And I continued to progress.

I've worked very hard every day for the last three, four years, I know what it took to get here."

Michelsen will face Alex De Minaur in his first round of 16 in Melbourne.