America tipped to have an exciting tennis talent who could have a ‘huge following’ soon after a brilliant start to 2025

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American tennis has enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 season, although the women have been outshining the men.

Madison Keys won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, while Amanda Anisimova won the Qatar Open.

Anisimova could rival Keys for future Grand Slam success this season, while Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are also likely to pose a threat.

Gauff, Pegula, Keys and Emma Navarro are all ranked within the WTA top 10, with Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the ATP top 10.

But the two American men certainly haven’t been as strong as they would have liked in the early stages of the season.

Rennae Stubbs tips Learner Tien to have a ‘huge following’ soon

One man American that is, however, flying high is Learner Tien, who is currently into the last 16 of the Mexican Open.

The 19-year-old defeated Cam Norrie in the round of 32 after battling through qualifying, with top seed and world number two Alexander Zverev now awaiting Tien.

READ MORE: Learner Tien says what his relationship with Alex Michelsen is currently like after their incredible runs at the Australian Open

Praising the youngster on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, former professional Stubbs said: “Learner Tien had a good win under his belt over Cam Norrie.

“To me it’s going to be great if Learner Tien can get a lot of matches under his belt before it comes into the American tournaments, because I think he is going to have a huge following. He is a lot of fun. He is young and he is good!”

Tien has been handed a wildcard for Indian Wells, the first of two tournaments in the Sunshine Double, alongside the Miami Open.

Learner Tien heading for bright future after stunning Australian Open run

Tien has really impressed in Mexico this week and indeed in 2025 so far, but now faces a formidable test against Zverev.

He has, however, already proven that he can take on the very best, with the American having knocked Daniil Medvedev out of the Australian Open.

READ MORE: Learner Tien explains what really surprised him about the crowd in his first match since the Australian Open

After making it through qualifying in Melbourne, the teenager edged past Camilo Ugo Carabelli in five sets in round one.

Tien then met fifth seed and defending champion Medvedev, who he superbly overcame 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 6-7(8-10), 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in an all-time classic.

The former then carried that momentum into the third round, where he eased past Corentin Moutet in straight sets.

But his miraculous journey was finally stopped by Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round, with the Italian having earlier knocked out Tien’s fellow NextGen ATP Finals star Joao Fonseca.

Another Italian in Matteo Arnaldi then defeated Tien in the Delray Beach Open round of 16, but the world number 83 certainly has a very bright future ahead of him.