ATP Alex Michelsen frances tiafoe US Open 2026

Michelsen, devastated after losing to Tiafoe: "I don't think anyone else could make me cry"

Fernando Murciego - 9 Sep 2026
Go to comments seciton
Michelsen, after her cruel defeat at the US Open: "I'm only 22 years old, I'll be here again." Source: Getty

Alex Michelsen said goodbye to the US Open 2026 with a mix of pride and pain. The American had the chance to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time, but ultimately fell to Frances Tiafoe in five sets, letting slip a two-set lead. A cruel loss that left him visibly emotional after nearly five hours of battle.

"This is one of the greatest disappointments of my career, but I am very happy to have proven to myself that I can reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal. I am only 22 years old and have a lot of time to grow physically and mentally. I will be here again, I know it," the American assured.

Even though it hurts, Michelsen has nothing to blame himself for

Michelsen identified the moment that definitively changed the match. At 5-4 in the third set and serving for the match, he could not capitalize on his opportunity and allowed Tiafoe to come back into the match. "You're four points away from reaching the semifinals of the US Open, and it's a terrible way to look at it because you can only play one point at a time. I missed a couple of serves, and after making two double faults, I thought: 'This is it, this is not going well. I feel like I handed it to him. After that, he started playing really well," he explained.

Despite the blow, Michelsen expressed being particularly proud of his reaction in the fifth set. "In the fifth, I am very proud of myself. I played every point at my best, without complaining about anything. I did everything right. It just didn't go in my favor." Tears came at the end of the match, especially during his hug with Tiafoe. "I don't think anyone else could have made me cry at that moment. Frances is a great guy, and he told me many personal things that touched me. It took me a few minutes to compose myself, but that’s normal after a match like that."

Now it’s time to rest and start again. "I’ll probably take a few days off. I'm a competitor, and in two days, I’ll surely be itching to do something," he concluded.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Michelsen, devastado tras perder ante Tiafoe: "No creo que nadie más pudiera hacerme llorar"