Michael Sell
CountryUnited States
ResidenceCherry Hill, NJ
Birth dateAugust 23, 1972 (age 54)
Birth placeBerkeley, California
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Turnedpro1995
PlaysRight-handed
Careerprizemoney$294,371
Singlesrecord6–16
Singlestitles0
HighestsinglesrankingNo. 136 (March 30, 1998)
Frenchopenresult1R (1998)
Usopenresult2R (1997)
Doublesrecord19–26
Doublestitles0
HighestdoublesrankingNo. 83 (August 24, 1998)
Australianopendoublesresult2R (1998)
Frenchopendoublesresult2R (1998, 1999)
Wimbledondoublesresult2R (1999)
Usopendoublesresult2R (1997, 1998)

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]

Career

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

Singles: (3)

No.YearTournamentSurfaceOpponent in the finalScore in the final
1.1997Bronx, United StatesHardGianluca Pozzi3–6, 6–4, 6–3
2.1997Sedona, United StatesHardGlenn Weiner6–4, 6–4
3.1999Puebla, MexicoHardAlejandro Hernández7–6(7–5), 7–5

Doubles: (11)

No.YearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponents in the finalScore in the final
1.1996Monterrey, MexicoHardSargis SargsianKevin Ullyett
Myles Wakefield
6–2, 3–6, 6–3
2.1996Austin, United StatesHardSargis SargsianT.J. Middleton
Bryan Shelton
7–5, 7–6
3.1997Winnetka, United StatesHardMyles WakefieldChad Clark
Ben Ellwood
6–3, 7–6
4.1997Urbana, United StatesHardKevin UllyettGouichi Motomura
Takao Suzuki
3–6, 7–6, 6–2
5.1997Delray Beach, United StatesHardKevin UllyettOren Motevassel
Daniele Musa
6–3, 6–3
6.1997Las Vegas, United StatesHardDavid DiLuciaPaul Goldstein
Jim Thomas
6–4, 6–4
7.1998Salinas, EcuadorHardDavid DiLuciaMariano Hood
Sebastián Prieto
7–6, 6–4
8.1998San Antonio, United StatesHardDavid DiLuciaMichael Hill
Scott Humphries
6–3, 6–1
9.1999Lexington, United StatesHardGabriel TrifuScott Humphries
Kevin Kim
7–6(7–4), 6–7(5–7), 6–4
10.1999Houston, United StatesHardDavid DiLuciaBobby Kokavec
Jocelyn Robichaud
7–6(10–8), 6–0
11.2000Tulsa, United StatesHardEnrique AbaroaGabriel Trifu
Glenn Weiner
5–7, 6–4, 6–2

Coaching career

  • 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

  1. ^ ITF Tennis Profile
  2. ^ "Michael Sell". lsusports.net. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  3. ^ "1989 Draw Sheet, USTA Boys' 16 & Boys' 18 National Championship" web.archive.org retrieved May 16, 2023
  4. ^ ATP World Tour Profile