'Pumped to play for my country': Michelsen to lead U.S. Davis Cup team vs. Chinese Taipei

This weekend's tie will be Michelsen's first high-level team event. He had committed to play college tennis for the University of Georgia, but his Newport run—which lifted him into the Top 150—led to his decision to go pro in August 2023. A year and half later, he finally gets his chance to experience team tennis.

"I'm super happy to play for a team," Michelsen told USTA.com. "I like to think I'm a decent team player and I'm really looking forward it. I've already had a blast with all the guys here. I could do this every week of the year, honestly."

Bryan has praised Michelsen's attitude, energy and work ethic during this week's preparations. The captain immediately saw Michelsen's dedication, even before their first practice session. The night a jet-lagged Bryan arrived in Taipei City, he paid a visit to the hotel gym. Michelsen was on the treadmill when he walked in, and the youngster was still there lifting weights when Bryan left.

The captain and his brother, coach Mike Bryan, first spoke with Michelsen at length at the 2023 US Open shortly after he turned pro. ("I was shaking in my boots," recalled Michelsen, who was star-struck by the legendary doubles pair.) They stayed in touch mostly via text since then, and Michelsen has enjoyed being on the court with the duo this week.

"They gave me a couple of volley tips, so I guess I'll take that," he joked.

Bryan, who encouraged the pair to join forces outside of Davis Cup play, is happy to see their partnership extend beyond the team competition.

"A lot of times they'll reach out for advice, and I was always very positive on them joining up because of the success at the Olympics last year, because of the Davis Cup matches," he explained. "I thought it would be a perfect fit for them to find their rhythm on tour and then use that rhythm when representing the country."

The United States Davis Cup team will begin its quest for a record-extending 33rd Davis Cup title on Friday and Saturday in Taipei City. The Chinese Taipei squad is made up of: Tseng Chun Hsin, a former Top 100 player; Wu Tung-Lin; Hsu Yu Hsiou; Huang Tsung-Hao; and Ho Ray.

"I think they're going to be a tough team," Michelsen assessed. "Playing at home, they've got absolutely nothing to lose against us, so I think they're going to go out there and play confident and play big and we're going to have to hold our ground. If we do that and we play some solid ball, I think we'll get it done."

Looking at the bigger picture, Bryan has a very specific source of motivation in this away tie: "We're very motivated to try to get out of Chinese Taipei with a win so that we can hopefully get a home tie in September and reward our fans back home with some Davis Cup action, which we haven't had for years," Bryan said. "That's a big motivation for me."

The winner of the USA vs. Chinese Taipei tie will advance to face Korea or Czechia in September for a place in the Davis Cup Final 8. In a new format, that second qualifying round takes the place of the Davis Cup Finals group stage used in recent years. The seven winners from that stage will join hosts Italy at November's Final 8 in Bologna.

For more on the competition, visit the USTA's Davis Cup homepage.

USA vs. Chinese Taipei

TV: Tennis Channel

*Chinese Taipei is +13 hours from Eastern Time; Start dates/times listed below are in ET*

Day 1, beginning Thursday, Jan. 30, at 10 p.m. ET

Marcos Giron (USA) v. Tseng Chun Hsin (TPE)

Alex Michelsen (USA) v. Wu Tung-Lin (TPE)

Day 2, beginning Friday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. ET

Austin Krajicek/Rajeev Ram (USA) v. Ho Ray/Hsu Yu Hsiou (TPE)

Michelsen (USA) v. Tseng (TPE)

Giron (USA) v. Wu (TPE)