Learner Tien has emerged as one of the standout performers of the 2025 season, making significant strides in the ATP rankings. A finalist at the Next Gen Finals last year, he went on to defeat Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open and reached the final of the China Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. His victories over top names such as Medvedev, Ben Shelton, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Lorenzo Musetti, and Flavio Cobolli have cemented his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in tennis.
Michael Chang’s influence
Tien’s surge in form coincided with the arrival of former Grand Slam champion Michael Chang to his coaching team during the summer. The partnership has been instrumental in his development, with Tien openly praising Chang’s relentless commitment and guidance.
“It’s great to have been able to add Michael (Chang) to the team, it’s special to have a legend like him by my side. He hasn’t stopped helping me since he arrived. I love the vision he has, as well as his experience. I feel like we’ve had a good relationship from day one, which has allowed us to work really well together.” — he said
Gratitude for coaches and family
Tien also acknowledged the role of his past coaches and family in shaping his career. He highlighted the importance of his father, who was his first coach, and expressed appreciation for the support system that has guided him through his journey.
“I’ve not had a lot of coaches, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have the coaches I’ve had my whole life. I think everyone’s played their role in me, as a person, in my game. I’m very thankful for everyone that’s helped me. Obviously, my parents. My dad is my first coach. I talked to him right after the match. A lot of people to thank and a lot of people I’m very grateful for.”
— he commentedBreaking into the top 30
His run in Metz propelled him into the top 30 for the first time, reaching No. 28 in the world. The achievement also secured him a seeded position at the Australian Open, something he admitted came as a pleasant surprise.
“It was a bonus, honestly, for me to be seeded in Australia. It’s something that I was really not trying to keep in mind during matches and kind of add extra pressure on myself. So, that’s great.”
— he explainedStaying grounded
Despite his rapid rise, Tien remains grounded and focused on his work. He explained that he had few expectations after leaving school and simply wanted to dedicate himself fully to tennis.
“I wouldn’t say I had a whole lot of expectations of what would happen after I left school. I just wanted to be done with school, honestly. So I just felt like I was ready to go out there and just fully dedicate myself to playing tennis. I had a lot of first experiences this year, but I wouldn’t say anything super shocking just because I didn’t have a ton of expectations of what was going to happen.” — he said
Learner Tien in 2025
Now ranked no.28 (career-high), Learner played his last match on the 8th of November when he beat world no.27 Cameron Norrie 6-3 3-6 7-6(6) in the final in Metz to win his 1st career title.
This season Tien has managed to achieve an overall 39-25 record. This year, Learner won 1 tournament in Metz. Tien reached the final in Beijing.
He is also scheduled to play in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Tennis Open). The main draw will start on the 30th of December.