Tien on NextGen ATP surge: “Everyone aims to catch the top players”

Learner Tien on the #NextGenATP rise: ‘Everyone is eager to challenge the top players’

After a strong finale in Jeddah last year, the now World No. 28 returns with his eyes set on greatness.

November 28, 2025

As Learner Tien prepares to step onto the court in Jeddah for his second consecutive appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, he’s not the same wide-eyed teenager who made waves as last year’s finalist.

Instead, the American arrives as one of the breakout stars of 2025, having made an impressive leap into the World’s Top 30. With remarkable performances across various surfaces and securing his first ATP Tour title in Metz during the season’s final week, Tien’s reputation has evolved from ‘promising talent’ to ‘future star’. Yet, one constant remains: his ability to thrive under pressure.

“I do a good job of managing expectations,” Tien shared with ATPTour.com in Paris last October. “I strive to avoid self-imposed pressure and focus on enjoying the sport, especially since many of these tournaments are new experiences for me. Embracing the journey alleviates a lot of stress, allowing me to play freely.”

“I try to maintain my routines, but traveling from event to event can be challenging. I do my best to stick to a consistent routine as much as possible.”

This sense of freedom manifests as boldness on the court, particularly against the sport’s elite — a fact he showcased at the Australian Open in January. Entering the tournament as a qualifier ranked World No. 121, Tien astounded fans by defeating fifth seed and three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in an epic second-round match lasting four hours and 49 minutes.

His success didn’t conclude there; he continued to exhibit his talent this year, claiming a fourth-round spot in Melbourne and accruing a commendable 5-3 record against Top 10 players throughout the 2025 season, as noted by the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

“I truly relish those matches; they present fantastic opportunities,” Tien remarked. “There’s relatively low expectation for me to win, especially early in the year,” he added, reflecting on victories over players like Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Andrey Rublev, and Lorenzo Musetti. “I simply aim to play freely and well, and I’ve been fortunate to succeed in many of those encounters.”

Tien is part of an exciting generational wave propelled by young talents who shared the spotlight with him last year in Jeddah. Joao Fonseca — who claimed victory over Tien in the finals — and Miami champion Jakub Mensik are among those transforming the 2025 season into a landmark year for their age group.

Together, they are steering a new wave of men’s tennis, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of former Next Gen ATP Finals champions Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, currently ranked World No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

“It’s impressive to see many young players thriving,” Tien noted. “Adapting can be challenging; some players hit their stride faster than others, but the youth pushes each other. Everyone is eager to catch up with the top athletes. It’s been fantastic to witness this collaboration.”

Former World No. 2 Michael Chang, who joined Tien’s team in July, has been instrumental in accelerating the 19-year-old’s rapid progress. Chang’s immediate impact has provided Tien with valuable insights from someone who has navigated similar pressures.