The Michelsens Raised a Champion the Way Palm Beach Understands Best

Before Alex Michelsen was contending on tour, his tennis education started at the family table. Erik and Sondra Michelsen both competed in tennis at the college level, the sort of formative varsity years that instill a discipline for the game long before a child ever picks up a racket. It is a lineage this island recognizes on sight — courtside conversation here runs naturally to backhands and college rosters, and a champion's origin story rarely starts anywhere but home. In the Michelsens' case, it started with two parents who had already lived the sport themselves.

With reporting from Town & Country.