Alex Molčan

Ranked No. 313 at the beginning of the year in January, Molčan made his ATP debut at the 2021 Antalya Open in Turkey, where he defeated Andrey Golubev and Blaž Kavčič to qualify for the main draw. Molčan then lost in the first round to France's Hugo Grenier in straight sets.{{cite news|title=Molčan sa premiérovo predstavil ,na turnaji ATP, neuhral však ani set|url=https://sport.sme.sk/c/22569032/atp-antalya-2021-1-kolo-alex-molcan-prehral-neuhral-ani-set.html|date = 8 January 2021|access-date = 9 January 2021|newspaper=SME|language=sk}}

In February he won the doubles title at the 2021 Challenger La Manche with compatriot Lukáš Klein.

In March, he advanced through the qualifying rounds of Open 13 in Marseille, France, defeating Antoine Hoang and Ernests Gulbis to reach his second main draw appearance. He was defeated in the first round by Lucas Pouille.

In May, ranked world No. 255 at the 2021 Belgrade Open, after qualifying yet again, Molčan reached the final of an ATP tournament for the first time in his career by defeating two Serbian wildcard players Hamad Međedović and Peđa Krstin, Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and clay specialist Argentinian Federico Delbonis which propelled him 74 spots up into the top 200 at World No. 181 in the rankings on 31 May 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-martin-belgrade-2-2021-friday | title=Novak Djokovic Returns to Belgrade Final with Martin Victory|website=ATP Tour }} In the final, he lost in straight sets to the top seed and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.{{cite web| title=Djokovic Wins 83rd Career Title In Belgrade | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-molcan-parma-2021-final |website=ATP Tour | date = 29 May 2021 | accessdate = 30 May 2021}}

He entered the top 150 on 19 July 2021 after reaching the final of the 2021 Moneta Czech Open Challenger in Prostějov, and the round of 16 as a qualifier at the 2021 Hamburg European Open defeating Gianluca Mager. In August, he won his first Challenger title at the 2021 Svijany Open in Liberec defeating Tomáš Macháč in 58 minutes where he lost just 18 games to win the title.{{Cite web|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/tennis/2021/08/09/challenger-tour-weekly-recap-alex-molcan-destroys-the-field-in-liberec/|title = Challenger Tour Weekly Recap: Alex Molcan Destroys the Field in Liberec|date = 9 August 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennis-tourtalk.com/77758/molcans-maiden-moment-in-liberec|title = Molcan's Maiden Moment in Liberec|date = 8 August 2021}} As a result, he hit a new career-high of No. 136 on 9 August 2021.

He made his Grand Slam debut the 2021 US Open after qualifying to the main draw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/August-2021/US-Open-Meet-the-16-Men-s-Singles-Qualifiers.aspx|title = US Open: Meet the 16 Men's Singles Qualifiers}} He overcame fellow qualifier and also making his debut Cem İlkel and Brandon Nakashima in five sets to reach the second and third round respectively for the first time in his career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-nakashima-us-open-2021-wednesday|title=Carlos Alcaraz Sets Up Tsitsipas Showdown | ATP Tour | Tennis|website=ATP Tour|accessdate=18 April 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/tennis/2021/09/01/qualifiers-huge-impact2021-us-open/|title = Qualifiers Make Huge Impact at the 2021 US Open|date = 2 September 2021}}{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/sports/tennis/us-open-alex-molcan.html | title=The U.S. Open is Alex Molcan's Proving Ground | newspaper=The New York Times | date=3 September 2021 | last1=Waldstein | first1=David }} In the third round, he was defeated by the eleventh seed Diego Schwartzman in straight sets.{{cite web| title=Schwartzman Surges Into US Open Fourth Round | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/schwartzman-molcan-us-open-2021-friday | website = atpworldtour.com | publisher = ATP | date = 4 September 2021 | accessdate = 4 September 2021}} As a result, he hit a new career-high of No. 117 on 13 September 2021. He became the No. 1 Slovak player on 8 November 2021 when he reached a career-high of No. 106 in the singles rankings following a semifinal at the Challenger in Bergamo. In November, he won the title at the 2021 Tali Open Challenger in Helsinki thus breaking into the top 100 at world No. 87 in the ATP year-end rankings on 22 November 2021.{{cite news| title=Po trofeji z Helsínk ďalšia odmena. Molčan je prvýkrát v elitnej svetovej stovke | url=https://sport.pravda.sk/tenis/clanok/607830-po-trofeji-z-helsink-dalsia-odmena-molcan-je-prvykrat-v-elitnej-svetovej-stovke/ | date = 22 November 2021 | accessdate = 22 November 2021 | newspaper=Pravda | language=Slovak}}{{Cite web|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/tennis/2021/11/22/challenger-tour-weekly-recap-molcan-baez-top-100/|title=Challenger Tour Weekly Recap: Molcan and Baez Break the Top 100|date=22 November 2021}}

He reached a career-high ranking in the top 75 at World No. 74 on 10 January 2022.

On his debut at the 2022 Australian Open he recorded his first win at this Major defeating lucky loser Roman Safiullin in the first round.{{cite news| title=Molčan sa v premiére prebojoval do 2. kola. Aj vďaka krásnemu gestu Rusa | url=https://sport.pravda.sk/tenis/clanok/613745-gombos-prvykrat-postupil-do-2-kola-australian-open-molcanov-super-odstupil/ | date = 18 January 2022 | accessdate = 8 April 2022 | newspaper=Pravda | language=Slovak}}

In Marrakesh, Molčan recorded his first Top 10 win after defeating the top seed Félix Auger-Aliassime.{{cite news| title=Odvrátil dva mečbaly. Molčan má cenný skalp hráča z Top 10. | url=https://sport.pravda.sk/tenis/clanok/622855-odvratil-dva-mecbaly-molcan-ma-cenny-skalp-hraca-z-top-10/ | date = 8 April 2022 | accessdate = 8 April 2022 | newspaper=Pravda | language=Slovak}}{{cite web| title=Goffin Records 300th Win, Reaches Marrakech QFs | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/goffin-marrakech-2022-thursday | website = atpworldtour.com | publisher = ATP | date = 8 April 2022 | accessdate = 8 April 2022}} He then advanced to his second career ATP final by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/molcan-marrakech-2022-friday | title=Alex Molcan Scores Second Straight Marrakech Upset to Reach SFS | ATP Tour | Tennis }} and Laslo Djere.{{cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/goffin-molcan-marrakech-2022-sf|title=Resurgent Goffin Reaches Marrakech Final, First Of 2022|website=ATP Tour|date = 9 April 2022}} In the final, Molčan lost to David Goffin in 3 sets.{{cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/goffin-molcan-marrakech-2022-final|title=Sweet Revenge: Goffin Rallies Past Molcan For Marrakech Title|date=10 April 2022|publisher=ATP Tour}} As a result, Molčan's ranking rose 15 places, marking his top 50 debut on 11 April 2022.{{cite web| title=Kyrgios Continues Resurgence, Mover Of Week | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/kyrgios-atp-rankings-11-april-2022 | website = atpworldtour.com | publisher = ATP | date = 11 April 2022 | accessdate = 14 April 2022}}

Molčan hired fellow Slovak Marián Vajda to join his coaching team in May 2022.{{cite web | url=https://lastwordonsports.com/tennis/2022/05/02/marian-vajda-alex-molcan/ | title=Marian Vajda to coach Alex Molcan | date=2 May 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/marian-vajda-to-make-coaching-comeback-with-slovakias-alex-molcan-597740.html | title=Tennis: Vajda returns to coaching | date=3 May 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/marian-vajda-former-coach-of-novak-djokovic-now-working-with-alex-molcan | title=Marian Vajda, former coach of Novak Djokovic, now working with Alex Molcan }}

At the 2022 ATP Lyon Open he reached the third tour-level final of his career, and second of the season by defeating former World No. 5 wildcard Jo-Wilfried Tsonga,{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/molcan-tsonga-lyon-2022-monday | title=Alex Molcan Moves Past 'Legend' Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Lyon Opener|website=ATP Tour}} 5th seed Karen Khachanov, Federico Coria{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/norrie-baez-molcan-lyon-2022-thursday | title=Cameron Norrie Passes Sebastian Baez Test to Reach Lyon SFS |website=ATP Tour }} and 4th seed Alex de Minaur en route without losing a set. He lost to top seed Cameron Norrie in three sets in the final.{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/norrie-molcan-lyon-2022-final-saturday | title=Cameron Norrie Moves Past Alex Molcan for Lyon Crown|website=ATP Tour }} As a result, he moved into the top 40 at World No. 38 on 23 May 2022.{{cite web| title=Sousa Soars Following Geneva Final Run, Mover Of Week | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/sousa-pepperstone-atp-rankings-23-may-2022 | website = atpworldtour.com | publisher = ATP | date = 23 May 2022 | accessdate = 24 May 2022}}

He made his debut at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and won his first match at this Major defeating Pedro Martínez.{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/molcan-vajda-feature-wimbledon-2022 | title=Alex Molcan on Marian Vajda: 'It is Amazing to Work with Him' | ATP Tour | Tennis }} He reached the third round at this Major for the first time defeating Marcos Giron in the second round before losing to Taylor Fritz.

In Hamburg, Molčan reached the quarterfinals as an unseeded player, beating Marko Topo and 4th seed and defending champion Pablo Carreño Busta. He advanced to the biggest semifinal of his career after Borna Ćorić retired during their match with Molčan leading in the second set.{{cite web | url=https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/hamburg-open-molcan-makes-semi-finals-613680.html | title=Tennis, ATP – Hamburg Open 2022: Molcan beats Coric | date=22 July 2022 }} He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-molcan-hamburg-2022-sf | title=Top-5 Alcaraz Sets All-Next Gen Final with Musetti|website=ATP Tour }}

At the US Open he lost in the first round to Thiago Monteiro.{{cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alex-molcan-feature-us-open-2022 | title=Alex Molcan's Journey from Challenger Player to Top 40|website=ATP Tour }} In September he won his two matches in the 2022 Davis Cup World Group I against Romania.{{cite web | url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/catching-up-with-alex-molcan-who-sees-an-opening | title=Catching up With...Alex Molcan, who sees an opening with Djokovic's former coach }}

Molča started his 2023 season at the Maharashtra Open in Pune. Seeded fifth, he lost in the first round to Laslo Đere.{{cite news |title=Krajinovic Fends Off Home Favourite Nagal In Pune Battle |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/krajinovic-nagal-pune-2023-monday |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=ATP Tour |date=2 January 2023}} At the ASB Classic in Auckland, he was defeated in the first round by Quentin Halys.{{cite news |title=Barrere Survives Isner Serving Storm, Cyclone Hale In Auckland |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/auckland-wednesday-2023-barrere-upsets-isner |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=ATP Tour|date=10 January 2023}} At the Australian Open, he earned his first win of the year by beating 2014 champion, Stan Wawrinka, in the first round in a five-set thriller.{{cite news |last1=Bassanelli |first1=Alfredo |title=Wawrinka serves for first Grand Slam win in 2 years but ultimately loses the match |url=https://tennis-infinity.com/atp/wawrinka-serves-for-first-grand-slam-win-in-2-years-but-ultimately-loses-the-match |access-date=20 March 2023 |publisher=tennis-infinity.com |date=16 January 2023}} He lost in the second round to sixth seed and world No. 7, Félix Auger-Aliassime.{{cite news |title=Felix Finds A Way From Two Sets Down |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/felix-molcan-australian-open-2023-r2 |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=ATP Tour|date=18 January 2023}}

After the Australian Open, Molča represented Slovakia in the Davis Cup tie against the Netherlands. He lost to Tim van Rijthoven.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Matt |title=NETHERLANDS IN CHARGE AFTER "CRAZY" DAY IN GRONINGEN |url=https://www.daviscup.com/en/news/329182.aspx |access-date=20 March 2023 |publisher=www.daviscup.com |date=4 February 2023}} In the end, the Netherlands won the tie over Slovakia 4–0.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Matt |title=DOMINANT DUTCH SEE OFF SLOVAKIA TO ADVANCE TO THE FINALS |url=https://www.daviscup.com/en/news/329276.aspx |access-date=20 March 2023 |publisher=www.daviscup.com |date=5 February 2023}}

Seeded seventh at the Argentina Open, he fell in the first round to two-time champion Dominic Thiem.{{cite news |title=Thiem Earns First Win Of Season In Buenos Aires |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/thiem-molcan-buenos-aires-2023-tuesday |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=ATP Tour|date=15 February 2023}} Seeded ninth at the Rio Open, he lost in the second round to Hugo Dellien.{{cite news |title=Norrie Edges Brazilian No. 1 Monteiro In Wild Rio Nightcap |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/norrie-monteiro-rio-de-janeiro-2023-wednesday |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=ATP Tour|date=23 February 2023}} In Acapulco, he retired during his first-round match against Matteo Berrettini due to injury.{{cite news |title=BERRETTINI BROTHERS MAKE A FINE DEBUT |url=https://abiertomexicanodetenis.com/en/2023/02/28/berrettini-brothers-make-a-fine-debut/ |access-date=20 March 2023 |publisher=abiertomexicanodetenis.com |date=28 February 2023}} In March, he competed at the BNP Paribas Open. Making his debut at this tournament, he defeated Albert Ramos Viñolas and upset 18th seed and world No. 20, Borna Ćorić, in the second round to reach the third round of a Masters for the first time in his career.{{cite news |title=No. 4 Taylor Fritz earns narrow victory at Indian Wells |url=https://sportsnaut.com/no-4-taylor-fritz-earns-narrow-victory-at-indian-wells/ |access-date=20 March 2023 |publisher=sportsnaut.com |date=11 March 2023}} He was defeated in the third round by Márton Fucsovics.{{cite news |title=Stan Wawrinka upsets No. 7 Holger Rune in Indian Wells |url=https://sportsnaut.com/stan-wawrinka-upsets-no-7-holger-rune-in-indian-wells/ |access-date=20 March 2023 |publisher=sportsnaut.com |date=13 March 2023}} At the following tournament, the 2023 Miami Open, he reached in two weeks back-to-back third rounds of a Masters 1000, defeating Jordan Thompson and upset 28th seed Yoshihito Nishioka. He withdrew from his third round match against world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev due to a right hip injury.{{cite tweet|user=TennisONEApp|number=1640138133718310912|title=Alex Molcan has withdrawn from the tournament due to right hip injury}}

At the Banja Luka Open he defeated Taro Daniel, Alexei Popyrin{{cite web| title=Tennis, ATP – Banja Luka Open 2023: Molcan gets past Popyrin | website=Tennis Majors | date=19 April 2023 | url=https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/banja-luka-open-molcan-moves-into-last-eight-674483.html | access-date=7 May 2023}} and Laslo Djere to reach the semifinals, where he was defeated by Andrey Rublev.

At the 2023 US Open he lost to Grigor Dimitrov, after leading two sets to love, in five sets with three tiebreaks, in a match lasting close to 4 hours and 40 minutes, the longest of the day.{{cite web | title=By the numbers: Facts and figures from Round 1 at the 2023 US Open| website=usopen.org|author=Chris Oddo | date=29 August 2023 | url=https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2023-08-29/by_the_numbers_facts_and_figures_from_round_1_at_the_2023_us_open.html | access-date=15 February 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.tennismajors.com/us-open-news/us-open-dimitrov-advances-to-second-round-709104.html | title=US Open: Dimitrov executes stunning comeback against Molcan | date=29 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.tennismajors.com/us-open-news/us-open-dimitrov-moves-into-second-round-709105.html | title=Molcan squanders two-set lead to lose epic encounter to Dimitrov | date=29 August 2023 }}

As a part of Slovak Davis Cup team, Molčan helped to defeat Greece. He won both his singles matches, including a win against Stefanos Tsitsipas.{{cite web| title=3 things that stood out in Alex Molcan's win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Davis Cup | url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/3-things-stood-alex-molcan-s-win-stefanos-tsitsipas-davis-cup | date = 18 September 2023 | accessdate = 5 January 2024}}{{cite news| title=Skvelý Molčan zdolal svetovú päťku. Pre Slovensko získal rozhodujúci bod | url=https://sportnet.sme.sk/spravy/tenis-stefanos-tsitsipas-alex-molcan-vysledok-grecko-slovensko-davis-cup-2023/ | date = 17 September 2023 | accessdate = 5 January 2024 | newspaper=Pravda | language=Slovak}}

After an up and down 2023 season, Molčan and Marián Vajda ended their coaching partnership in September.{{cite web | url=https://sportnet.sme.sk/spravy/tenis-alex-molcan-ukoncenie-spoluprace-marian-vajda-podakovaniie/ | title=Molčan ukončil spoluprácu s Vajdom. Vynikajúci človek, veľká osobnosť, povedal }}

He finished the 2023 season outside of the top 100, ranked No. 119.

He further fell out of the top 150 at world No. 162 on 1 April 2024 and out of the top 600 on 17 March 2025.

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{{Performance key}}

Molčan's record against players who have been ranked in the top 10, with those who are active in boldface. Only ATP Tour main draw and Davis Cup matches are considered:

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{{Top male singles tennis players by country|SVK}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Molcan, Alex}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Slovak male tennis players

Category:Sportspeople from Prešov

Category:21st-century Slovak sportsmen