Andy Roddick has always been a huge advocate for American tennis, both during his playing days and after.
However, it seems strange to think that a player of his quality has arguably has grown in stature since retiring, as the proud owner of one of the biggest podcasts within the sport now.
Speaking regularly about both the ATP and the WTA, and never afraid to tackle the controversial topics, he uses his platform brilliantly to promote American players when the opportunity strikes.
On this occasion, he has used it to champion Alex Michelsen, and actually share with the world the one thing he keeps on hearing about the 20-year-old.
Andy Roddick relays what he’s heard about Alex Michelsen
Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former world number one was effusive in his praise for his compatriot.
After all, as he would go on to say, he only ever hears good things about Michelsen.
Speaking after his run to the quarter-finals at the Canadian Open, Andy Roddick stated: “Alex Michelsen played great.
“He’s really good on fast surfaces. You talk about the ball flying through the air. He can create speed on that backhand.
“I saw Craig Boynton, who’s now kind of working with Robby Ginepri. They’ve done a great job with Alex Michelsen.
“And I will say, every single person I ask about Alex Michelsen, who I don’t know personally, same thing. Great kid, works his a— off, wants to be really good at this game. Right? This is a great combo, his reputation is phenomenal. As far as being decent as a human and working your a— off.
“So I find myself cheering for him just based on his reputation.”
It’s ironic, given Michelsen rivalled an old Andy Roddick record during his time in Toronto.
How has Alex Michelsen performed at the Grand Slams this year?
Whilst Michelsen has enjoyed a strong 2025, it is at the Grand Slams where a player is really tested, and therefore judged.
Sadly, what started out as a promising year in the majors has devolved into something of a nightmare, leaving him with a huge task at the US Open to salvage his reputation at these elite events.
In Australia, Michelsen impressed in what was, unsurprisingly, very fast conditions.
He beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round and Karen Khachanov in the third, with his run ended by hometown hero Alex de Minaur.
Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images
Sadly, he could not replicate such form in Paris, capping off a dismal clay-court season with a first-round exit to a specialist on that surface, Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Michelsen surprisingly fared no better at Wimbledon, again losing in the first round to Miomir Kecmanović, as one of a record number of seeds that exited the All-England Club early.
Hopefully, he can recapture the form that saw him thrive in Melbourne here at the Cincinnati Open, and then crucially in New York.