Michael Sell (born August 23, 1972) is a former professional tennis player from the United States.[1] He was the co-head coach of the women's tennis team at Louisiana State University with Julia Sell from 2015 to April 2022.[2]

Michael Sell
Country (sports)United States United States
ResidenceCherry Hill, NJ
Born (1972-08-23) August 23, 1972 (age 52)
Berkeley, California
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Turned pro1995
PlaysRight-handed
Prize money$294,371
Singles
Career record6–16
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 136 (March 30, 1998)
Grand Slam singles results
French Open1R (1998)
US Open2R (1997)
Doubles
Career record19–26
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 83 (August 24, 1998)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open2R (1998)
French Open2R (1998, 1999)
Wimbledon2R (1999)
US Open2R (1997, 1998)

Career

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At the 1989 Boys' Junior National Tennis Championship, Sell lost to Alexis Hombrecher in the 4th round.[3] He had better success as a 4-time All-American for the University of Georgia.[4] He and Rob Givone won the bronze medal in the men's doubles at the 1993 Summer Universiade.[4]

Sell appeared in the main singles draw of two Grand Slams.[4] In the 1997 US Open he beat Cecil Mamiit in the opening round, then lost in four sets to Daniel Vacek.[4] He exited in the opening round of the 1998 French Open, losing to Jordi Mas, despite taking the first set 6–0.[4] His best performance on the singles circuit came at the 1999 Japan Open Tennis Championships, where he defeated Mark Woodforde and Gouichi Motomura to make the round of 16.[4] In the 2000 Heineken Open he had a win over world number 34 Nicolas Escude.[4]

In doubles, he reached the 2nd round of all four Grand Slams, including the 1998 Australian Open where he partnered French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten.[4] His best results came when he teamed up with countryman David DiLucia.[4] The pair twice made the semi-finals of San Jose's Sybase Open, in 1998 and 1999.[4]

Sell served as the personal coach of Monica Seles, Donald Young, and John Isner.[4]

Challenger Titles

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Singles: (3)

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No. Year Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score in the final
1. 1997 Bronx, United States Hard   Gianluca Pozzi 3–6, 6–4, 6–3
2. 1997 Sedona, United States Hard   Glenn Weiner 6–4, 6–4
3. 1999 Puebla, Mexico Hard   Alejandro Hernández 7–6(7–5), 7–5

Doubles: (11)

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No. Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents in the final Score in the final
1. 1996 Monterrey, Mexico Hard   Sargis Sargsian   Kevin Ullyett
  Myles Wakefield
6–2, 3–6, 6–3
2. 1996 Austin, United States Hard   Sargis Sargsian   T.J. Middleton
  Bryan Shelton
7–5, 7–6
3. 1997 Winnetka, United States Hard   Myles Wakefield   Chad Clark
  Ben Ellwood
6–3, 7–6
4. 1997 Urbana, United States Hard   Kevin Ullyett   Gouichi Motomura
  Takao Suzuki
3–6, 7–6, 6–2
5. 1997 Delray Beach, United States Hard   Kevin Ullyett   Oren Motevassel
  Daniele Musa
6–3, 6–3
6. 1997 Las Vegas, United States Hard   David DiLucia   Paul Goldstein
  Jim Thomas
6–4, 6–4
7. 1998 Salinas, Ecuador Hard   David DiLucia   Mariano Hood
  Sebastián Prieto
7–6, 6–4
8. 1998 San Antonio, United States Hard   David DiLucia   Michael Hill
  Scott Humphries
6–3, 6–1
9. 1999 Lexington, United States Hard   Gabriel Trifu   Scott Humphries
  Kevin Kim
7–6(7–4), 6–7(5–7), 6–4
10. 1999 Houston, United States Hard   David DiLucia   Bobby Kokavec
  Jocelyn Robichaud
7–6(10–8), 6–0
11. 2000 Tulsa, United States Hard   Enrique Abaroa   Gabriel Trifu
  Glenn Weiner
5–7, 6–4, 6–2

Coaching career

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  • 2001-2002 - Monica Seles - Personal Coach
  • 2003-2007 - USTA National Coach
  • 2007-2012 - USTA Lead National Coach
  • 2012 - USA Olympic Assistant Tennis Coach - London Games
  • 2013-2014 - John Isner - Personal Coach
  • 2015-2022 - Co-head Coach LSU Women's Tennis
  • 2022 to Current - Director LTP Professional Program

References

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  1. ^ ITF Tennis Profile
  2. ^ "Michael Sell". lsusports.net. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "1989 Draw Sheet, USTA Boys' 16 & Boys' 18 National Championship" web.archive.org retrieved May 16, 2023
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k ATP World Tour Profile
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