In the YouTube video “Alex Michelsen Hits Spectator with Ball, Not Defaulted | Tennis Channel Live,” the panel discusses the inconsistent application of tennis rules regarding player conduct.
The focus is on an incident where Alex Michelsen accidentally hit a ball into the stands, striking a fan who was unharmed and did not want the match to be defaulted. The panelists debate whether fan reaction should dictate punishment, citing past incidents where rules were not consistently applied.
They reference instances such as a Japanese player being defaulted for unintentionally hitting a ball girl and players hitting balls in anger but not intending to hit fans. The panel agrees it’s a challenging situation and there’s no simple solution. They also mention Michelsen, who is turning 20 and a top 50 player, would have faced harsher consequences with a default compared to a warning or fine. The conversation concludes with the suggestion for clearer rules to address these gray areas.
Alex Michelsen in 2024
Ranked world no.52 (career-high), Alex played his last match on the 24th of August when he lost to world no.58 Lorenzo Sonego 6-0 6-3 in the final in Winston-Salem (draw).
Until now, during this year Michelsen achieved a 32-27 win-loss record. Alex Michelsen’s most significant performance of the present season was reaching the final in Newport and Salem.
He is also scheduled to play at the U.S. Open (U.S. Open). The main draw will start on the 26th of August.