After a crushing U.S. Open quarterfinal defeat to Frances Tiafoe, Alex Michelsen found comfort from the last person many might have expected: the man who had just beaten him.
The two Americans had spent 4 hours and 38 minutes trading blows on Arthur Ashe Stadium, pushing each other through a grueling five-set tiebreaker. But when it was over, the defining image was not a forehand winner or a final point. It was Tiafoe wrapping Michelsen in an embrace as the 22-year-old tried to process the heartbreak.
Michelsen later described the U.S. Open match as “emotionally draining,” yet he said it was not only the loss that overwhelmed him. What truly broke through were the words Tiafoe shared at the net.
“I don’t think anyone else could have made me cry in that moment, to be honest,” Michelsen said. “Frances, he’s such a good guy, and he said a lot of personal things and just kind of got to me.”
So what exactly did Frances Tiafoe say to Alex Michelsen after their emotional U.S. Open showdown?
“You’ll be there. When I’m older, you’re going to be here, and we’re going to play again in this type of circumstance,” Michelsen recalled Tiafoe saying. “All that good stuff. He’s a great guy for consoling me in that moment.”
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Michelsen had been on the cusp of the first semifinal appearance of his career before Tiafoe battled back to take the third set 7-5 and take the next two sets to move on to the next round at Flushing Meadows.
Even with Tuesday’s loss, things are looking up for the 22-year-old California native, who spent most of this year’s tournament flying under the radar until he stormed out to a 2-0 lead on Tiafoe in the quarters. Michelsen will move up to No. 33 in the ATP rankings and Tiafoe, who has developed a close friendship with Michelsen, expressed confidence that this wasn’t the end for the youngster.
“I know you’re going to be here so many more times and I’m going to be in a rocking chair when you do,” Tiafoe said on ESPN.
And despite the disappointment, the confidence seemed to still be there for Michelsen.
“It’s definitely one of the bigger disappointments,” he said. “But I’m just super happy that I showed myself I can make a quarter of a Slam, and I’m only 22. I’ve got a lot of time to grow physically and mentally. I’m going to be here again. I know it.”
He added: “Next time I’m in this situation, I’m going to learn, and I’m going to do things the right way.”