Learner Tien: First-Time Winner Spotlight
#NextGenATP star Learner Tien became the ninth first-time winner on the ATP Tour this season with his breakthrough victory on Saturday at the Moselle Open.
The 19-year-old defeated Cameron Norrie in the final and made his Top-30 debut in the PIF ATP Rankings. With the triumph, Tien also became the first American teenager to win a tour-level title since Andy Roddick, 19, in 2002.
The indoor hard-court ATP 250 crown is the latest highlight in what has already been an impressive season for the lefty. After finishing runner-up last year at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, he has earned five wins over Top 10 players this season and reached his maiden tour-level final at the ATP 500 in Beijing, where he lost to Jannik Sinner.
ATPTour.com caught up with Tien to discuss his title run, his journey and more…
What does it mean to win your first ATP tour title?
It’s really special to me. It was a big goal I had coming into the season. It was the last week of the year. I really wanted to make it happen. So, it means a lot.
Who have been the most influential people in helping you reach this moment in your career?
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.
You’re set to crack the Top 30 for the first time at just 19 years old. What does that accomplishment mean to you?
That’s great, actually. I wasn’t sure what my exact ranking would be after this week. But 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.
What lessons did you take away from your first ATP Tour final last month against Jannik Sinner?
I think it honestly helped with the nerves a little bit. I obviously felt some nerves today playing for my first title, but I think just being in that setting at that stage of the tournament, I think it helped me a lot with just pre-match jitters and stuff like that.
With your mom being a teacher and your dad a lawyer, what would you have been had you not found tennis and why?
I would probably be a loser. I never really took too much else. So, I guess I’m lucky.
What has it been like to have former World No. 2 Michael Chang come on to your team this year?
I didn’t meet him until I found out that he could potentially become my coach. I never met him before that. But it’s been great. It’s been very special to have him on my team. He’s helped me a lot. The insight he brings, the experience he has. I feel like we’ve clicked pretty well and we’ve been able to work together great.
What is the one lesson or story that stands out for your time with him so far?
Does today count? [I would say] today. Today is the best day of the year.
You initially went to college for a semester before turning pro. How has the journey since then been different from what you expected when you made that decision?
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.
This is a milestone moment in your career, how will you celebrate this victory?
I don’t know. I have no idea. I’m still taking it in, honestly. I still can’t really believe it. I haven’t actually eaten dinner anywhere outside my hotel room [here in Metz] this whole week. Lunch or dinner. I’ve ordered food to my room, the exact same meal for every single meal this week in my room, so I’ll probably do something different tonight.