Student Tien aims to draw on outstanding form to succeed in Jeddah | ATP Tour

Features Player

'I felt invincible': Tien draws on outstanding form to win in Jeddah

The American is the fifth seed in Jeddah

December 17, 2024

Few players in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF have tasted success like Learner Tien in 2024.

Boasting a 31-9 win-loss record throughout the year, the American has been successful on the ATP Challenger Tour. After claiming three titles and rising to number 114 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Tien comes in as the fifth seed among the top eight players in the world aged 20 and under.

“I felt like I couldn't lose a game,” Tien said of his 28-match winning streak from May to July at all levels. “Regardless of the score, it wasn't meant to be finished and I still found a way, until I found it. I always had this confidence to face it, which I feel you should always have.”

However, it was not clear how the 19-year-old player is doing, who was forced to miss three months at the beginning of the season due to a broken seventh rib.

“If you had told me at that time that I would be ranked where I am now, I would have been happy. Even before I got injured, I had a goal of being between 150-175 [in the rankings]without that interruption. To come back after three months away and still have as good a year as I've had, it's great. I'm very happy where I am.”

Injuries are a difficult prospect for any player, but Tien did not give up hope. In fact, he credits the impressive success of the 2024 season – where he gained more than 300 places in the PIF ATP Rankings – when he was left thinking in the recovery bed.

“The injury led to me having a good time off, I think that was good for my mind [state] a little restructuring,” said Tien. “Since I have so little time on the court, I wanted us to come back to play, so that encouraged me and made it easier for me to come back and want to be better.

“Coming back, I was a little rusty, but I had a little success right off the bat. It was great for my confidence to come back after missing some time and still win some games. “

Team goals? Nailed it. 😎#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/J8Xm3QeTLg

– ATP Finals Next (@nextgenfinals) December 17, 2024

Tien, a two-time USTA Boys' 18s National champion, is one of three Americans in the eight-man field in Jeddah. Alongside him are second-generation Alex Michelsen and Nishesh Basavareddy, both of whom share more than just ethnicity with Tien; they share a friendship that has formed over the years of climbing together.

“It feels strange to come out so far to see a familiar face,” Tien said. “It's nice to have good friends here besides you and to see people you grew up with. It's really cool. “

The rookie Tien will have to adapt to the new rules in the Next Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF rather quickly as he opens his account against the ATP Newcomer of the Year and World No. 48 Jakub Mensik on Wednesday.