Up close with Learner Tien in Delray
The 20-year-old American talks rapid results, mentorship from Michael Chang, and an unlikely Medvedev doubles pairing.
I’m in Florida this week scoping out the ATP 250 in Delray Beach that brings some of the best men’s tennis players in the world to this laidback beach town. It’s incredibly charming, with county fair vibes, decent food (sushi and acai—approved), and a very blurred line between player and public spaces that would be a dream for any tennis fan. The minute I arrived I found myself trailing Corentin Moutet through the site—he was stopped a few times for photos but was largely able to go about his business (the American players don’t have it quite as easy). During a Taylor Fritz press conference in the outdoor workout area, young fans hung over the court seating right beside it and attempted to stream it online, whispering excitedly to themselves. Mattia Bellucci warmed up before his match against Miomir Kecmanović right outside the public restrooms—the kind of proximity that would never happen at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam.
For the players it’s a more relaxed week on the calendar (many mentioned how close it is to home as a reason they return), but if you’re craving good tennis in a less overwhelming and expensive venue that gives you more access to the athletes, I highly recommend it.
In the Players Lounge with Learner Tien
While here, I chatted with 20-year-old Learner Tien about his speedy rise to world No. 23 in the rankings and how he wound up playing doubles with his friendly rival Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells. He’s quietly become one of the most effective young players on the ATP Tour.
Tien turned pro in 2023 but broke out on the main tour in 2025 after becoming the youngest man since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open, upsetting Medvedev on the way.
“It’s all gone by really quick,” he said. “Some parts of it were tougher than others, there have been ups and downs, but overall I think this year of experience has really helped me, and I’m just trying to enjoy it as much as I can.”
He surpassed his year-end ranking goal—which he kept mum—by “a lot,” he told me. “You always believe that you can get there, but when it actually happens, it still takes you by surprise.”
Working with the former world No. 2 and French Open winner Michael Chang has been a huge asset not just for his tennis but in helping him navigate the off-court whirlwind that comes with going pro.
“It feels like everything I’m going through, he’s already done,” said Tien. “So it’s very easy for me to ask him for advice about anything on or off the court, and there’s a sense that he knows how I’m feeling in key moments, like before a big match, having been there himself.”
The pairing has echoes of Chang’s own teenage ascent as another counterpuncher who learned early how to absorb pace and outlast bigger hitters.
The fact that Chang often brings his three young children along for the ride, including his adorable son Micah who stole the show at the Next Gen Finals last year, is an added bonus.
“It’s nice to have his kids around because there are some long, hard days, and they bring a different energy to the court—it takes the edge off a bit,” said Tien.
Around the tour, there’s a sense that Tien remains under-discussed compared with peers like João Fonseca, whose breakout ATP title in Buenos Aires—and the fervor of Brazilian sports fandom—have driven a surge of attention. But it’s not something that crosses Tien’s mind, he said, the suggestion drawing a small laugh. “I always just think that if you do what you’re supposed to do then eventually the recognition will come, but when it does come I don’t pay too much attention to that either.”
As for how he wound up paired with Medvedev for doubles at Indian Wells, it was Medvedev’s coach, Thomas Johansson, who reached out to see if Tien might want to play.
“Obviously we’ve had some real battles against each other, so it’ll be a little weird seeing him on the same side of the court, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun,” he said.
Despite their very different demeanor on court—Tien being cool and collected, while Medvedev is prone to high drama theatrics—it’s the similarities in their defensive game styles that Tien believes makes for a great rivalry.
“We both make our opponents work very hard, which leads to long rallies, long games, long sets,” he said. “We kind of know what to expect from each other now, there aren’t really surprises, but it’s still always going to be tough.”
In Delray, Tien faces off against the Serbian world No. 83 Miomir Kecmanovic tomorrow. After making it to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open last month, he says he’s playing with a good bit of confidence. “It’s always fun to play in front of a home crowd and I’m just trying to keep that momentum going.”
If his trajectory holds, that relative lack of spotlight may not last much longer.
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