He began the year hoping to – in his own words – “kind of break through” in 2025.
Barely two weeks later, Learner Tien defeated the player ranked No. 5 in the world.
Six weeks after that, the 19-year-old from Irvine took down the world’s second-ranked player.
Tien hasn’t “kind of” broken through over the past few months. He’s done so in a way that has grabbed the attention of all of professional tennis.
“You could say it was a dream start for me,” says Tien, who grew up playing at Heritage Park. “It’s something you hope can carry you through the rest of the year.”
By mid-March, Tien had reached a career-best ATP ranking of No. 66, the sharp rise spurred by his victories over heavyweights Daniil Medvedev in Australia and Alexander Zverev in Mexico.
The sport’s second major – the French Open – is late this month, and Tien finds himself thinking bigger than his original 2025 goal of cracking tennis’ top 100. His eyes now look to the top 50.
“Being in the top 100, it kind of feels like you’ve made it onto the real tour and you can start playing all the main events,” Tien says. “I’m very excited for what’s next.”
He had so much success so early in life – winning his first tournament before he turned 6 and beating players twice his age then – that his future seemed sealed. But upon reaching his teens, he took a brief hiatus from tennis as his passion for the sport wavered.
Tien bounced back with the sort of drive that led to him building a record of 76-23 in junior grand slam events, including a doubles title at the 2023 Australian Open. That same year, he turned pro and was the youngest player to compete in the men’s draw of the 2023 U.S. Open.
String of firsts
Nothing, however, suggested what he would do in mid-January this year in Australia, where he competed in the tournament’s main draw for the first time.
Having won three qualifying matches, Tien collected the first official Grand Slam victory of his career by defeating Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
Next came his pairing with Medvedev, who had reached the Australian Open finals in 2024 and has 20 ATP victories, including at the 2021 U.S. Open. Standing 6-foot-6, Medvedev towered over the 5-11 Tien in every way possible.
“I knew it was a great opportunity,” Tien says. “Those are the matches that are fun to play. You grow up watching those guys do well and win. Getting a chance to play a top guy is something you always look forward to.”
Tien defeated Medvedev, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (8), 1-6, 7-6 (10-7), in a duel that lasted nearly five hours before ending a little before 3 a.m. in Melbourne. At least one media outlet called it the best men’s match of the tournament.
At his post-victory news conference, Tien walked in carrying a box holding a pepperoni pizza. He explained that the pie was going to be a “celebratory or a binge-y” type thing as a means of coping with what would have been a crushing defeat.
“Being in the top 100, it kind of feels like you’ve made it onto the real tour and you can start playing all the main events. I’m very excited for what’s next.”
Learner Tien
Gratitude and belief
He made a point to thank his parents – Khuong Dan and Huyen – who had stayed up all night in Irvine to watch their son’s stunning win.
“I try to show my gratitude as much as I can,” Tien says. “They’ve given a lot for me to play tennis: sacrificing time, money, energy. I appreciate everything they’ve put into my career.”
He won another match in Melbourne before losing in the round of 16. Tien was the youngest American male to advance that far in Australia since Pete Sampras in 1990.
As shocking as his win over Medvedev was, Tien backed it up by beating Zverev at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico, and advancing to the quarterfinals – boosting his confidence even more.
“Knowing you can hang and compete at this level … win or lose, I know it’s something that will help me a lot going forward,” Tien says. “To win is just a bonus.”
With two giants slain and the world of tennis watching, he’s now looking for more as the early promises of 2025 lead to the next headlining opportunities.
“Tennis can be so unpredictable, with so many factors involved,” Tien says. “As long as you’re still on the court, you have a chance. It’s easier, of course, to tell yourself that in some matches than others. But I truly do believe that every time you step on the court – no matter who you’re playing – there’s always a chance you can win.”
