Rising Star Learner Tien Makes Grand Slam Debut at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — Learner Tien, a 19-year-old American tennis prodigy, is making waves at the 2025 Australian Open, marking his first Grand Slam appearance as a professional. The young qualifier secured a hard-fought victory in his opening match, setting up a second-round clash with former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev.

Tien, ranked No. 107 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, battled through a grueling five-set match in his debut, overcoming 16 double faults to claim his maiden main draw victory at a Grand Slam. The match, which lasted nearly four hours, showcased Tien’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure. “The kid’s a winner, and he just finds different ways,” said his coach, Eric Diaz. “A lot of guys would probably let it get the best of them, but he stays really calm and finds a way.”

Born in Irvine, California, to Vietnamese immigrant parents, Tien’s journey to the professional circuit has been marked by determination and family support. His parents, Khuong Dan Tien and Huyen Tien, introduced him to tennis at a young age, fostering his passion for the sport. “We never thought much about it other than, ‘Gosh, he was really good,'” Khuong told the LA Times. “It’s a bit of a shame that he didn’t enjoy it as much as you would think his talent would cause him to enjoy it.”

Tien’s early success included winning the USTA Boys’ 18s National Hard Court Championships twice, at ages 16 and 17. Despite a setback due to a seventh-rib fracture that sidelined him for over three months, Tien made a remarkable comeback, winning 28 consecutive matches and climbing the rankings. “I’ve been doing better than I could have hoped for if you told me this would happen a year ago,” Tien said. “I try to take it all in because obviously the wins are so much better than the losses.”

As Tien prepares to face Medvedev on Thursday evening at Margaret Court Arena, his coach emphasized the importance of constant improvement. “It’s just constant evolution,” Diaz said. “He’s trying to do some different stuff with his feet, some different stuff with his hands. Some days it’s good. Some days it’s not. But that’s how it goes when you’re playing one of the biggest matches of your life.”

Tien’s rise in the tennis world has been fueled by his ability to adapt and his relentless work ethic. “I like the fact that I still feel like I have stuff to work on and improve,” Tien said. “If I didn’t, that means I’d be at my ceiling right now. It’s honestly nice for me to know that there’s a lot of stuff that I can still improve.”

With his family’s unwavering support and a growing reputation as a fierce competitor, Tien is poised to make a significant impact on the ATP Tour. Whether he can upset Medvedev remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Learner Tien is a name to watch in the world of tennis.