Alex Michelsen tops Taylor Fritz in SoCal matchup at Indian Wells

American Alex Michelsen secured one of the biggest wins of his career on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Alex Michelsen, a 15-year-old ball crew member from San Diego, explained what it's like being a "ball kid" at the BNP Paribas Open. Michelsen secured one of the biggest wins of his career on Monday at the Indian Wells tournament, topping fellow American Taylor Fritz.

Why it matters

The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments outside of the Grand Slams, and a victory over a top player like Taylor Fritz is a major accomplishment for the up-and-coming Michelsen.

The details

Michelsen, a third-year ball crew member, described the experience of working as a "ball kid" at the tournament, handling the duties of quickly retrieving and returning tennis balls to the players during matches. On the court, Michelsen secured the big win over fellow American Taylor Fritz, a top player on the ATP Tour.

  • Michelsen is a third-year ball crew member at the BNP Paribas Open.
  • Michelsen secured his big win over Taylor Fritz on Monday at the Indian Wells tournament.

The players

Alex Michelsen

A 15-year-old ball crew member from San Diego who secured one of the biggest wins of his career at the BNP Paribas Open.

Taylor Fritz

A top player on the ATP Tour who Michelsen defeated in their match at the Indian Wells tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I played higher than my average level,”

— Alex Michelsen

The takeaway

Michelsen's victory over Fritz at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament is a major breakthrough for the young player, showcasing his talent and potential on the tennis circuit.