Alex Michelsen did three things in 2023: he turned nineteen, became a professional tennis player, and cracked the top hundred barrier. The teenager had been hovering just outside the top hundred for the last two months and needed something special to get past that first obstacle. That something came in the form of another challenger title.
Embed from Getty ImagesMichelsen Wins Knoxville Title
There are so many former top hundred players who are languishing on the Challenger Tour, desperately trying to get back inside the top hundred. Three of his opponents were ranked between 17-53. It is no longer just a matter of injuries keeping these players out, there is the added factor of age. A teenager will recover faster and move quicker than a player in their thirties. I often question why bother. However, some players struggle to let go because their entire identity is defined by their status as a tennis player.
Your Identity Is Not Your Profession
I can relate. I made that same mistake as well. Your profession is a job that pays the bills. If you are blessed, it is something that you are passionate about. However, do not be confused and think that you are your profession. When we gain clarity about our identity, it is so much easier to shift our perspective and effect a positive change in our life and performance in our chosen profession.
Embed from Getty ImagesTop 100 ATP Ranking Changes
| ATP | RANKING CHANGES | CURRENT RANK |
| Jack Draper (GBR) | UP 21 | 61 |
| Alex Michelsen | UP 15 | 99 CAREER HIGH |
| Alexander Shevchenko (RUS) | UP 14 | 49 CAREER HIGH |
| Pavel Kotov (RUS) | UP 12 | 68 CAREER HIGH |
| Dominik Koepfer (GER) | DOWN 11 | 82 |
ATP & WTA Top 10 Ranking Changes
ATP: there were a few positional changes in the top ten members. The top six members remained the same. Alexander Zverev moved up one spot to #7. Holger Rune and Hubert Hurkacz each moved up two spots to #8, and #9, respectively. Taylor Fritz fell one spot to #10. Casper Ruud fell out of the top ten. The current top four players are: [1] Novak Djokovic; [2] Carlos Alcaraz; [3] Daniil Medvedev; and [4] Jannik Sinner.
WTA: there were no changes in the top ten. The top four member remained the same: [1] Aryna Sabalenka; [2] Iga Swiatek; [3] Coco Gauff; and [4] Elena Rybakina.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Getty Images
