LibGDX interpolation

So, I have a sprite and in render(), I want to interpolate its alpha value from 0 to 1 to create a fading effect.

This is my current code trying to follow examples without having (or being able to find) an understanding of what MathUtils.clamp does. This code does not work. The alpha values generated start deep in the negatives.

		time += Gdx.graphics.getDeltaTime();
		float alpha = new Interpolation.Swing(1).apply(0, 1, MathUtils.clamp(time / 4.5f, 0, 1));
		System.out.println(alpha);
		sprite.setAlpha(alpha);