Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev have struggled at times in 2025, as they look to get back to winning ways at Indian Wells.
World number two Zverev began his season in fine form as he enjoyed a fantastic run to the final in Melbourne.
Zverev lost to Jannik Sinner in three sets, 3-6, 6-7, 3-6, as he fell to defeat in a Grand Slam final for the third time in his career.
The German star has struggled since, however, winning just four matches across his next three tournaments; the Argentina Open, Rio Open, and Mexican Open.
Medvedev failed to impress down under, as he was beaten in the second round of the Australian Open, before losing against lower-ranked players in Montpellier, Rotterdam, and Dubai.
Both Medvedev and Zverev were shocked by a young American ATP star this year, as the 19-year-old now shares his thoughts on the first two top-ten wins of his career.
Learner Tien admits it took time for wins over Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev to ‘sink in’
Speaking ahead of his main draw debut at Indian Wells, world number 68, Learner Tien looked back on his maiden top-ten win earlier this year.
“It felt great in the moment, it feels great to look back on it now,” he said.
“It kind of didn’t sink in straight away, it just felt very very good to win.
“But you know, in the coming weeks after that, it kind of hit me.
“You know, still a little surprising to me, but yeah, very very good memories.”
Tien beat Medvedev in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open, as he advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career.
The American led by two sets to love, but looked set to crash out of the tournament when the former world number one battle back to take sets three and four.
Holding his nerve, Tien won 10-7 in the deciding set tiebreaker, securing his maiden top-ten win, at just 19 years of age.
Carrying the momentum through to the third round, Tien beat Corentin Moutet, as he qualified for the last 16.
There, he lost to Lorenzo Sonego, as his dream Australian Open run came to an end, but he didn’t have to wait long to score another impressive victory in 2025.
At the Mexican Open, Tien beat Zverev in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, booking his place in the quarter-finals.
Again it took a while for the result to settle in for Tien, as he enjoyed the highest-ranked win of his professional career.
“Yes, career-high win for me last week, great actually,” he said.
“It didn’t really hit me honestly for a little bit but it was very cool.
“My first time in Acapulco, so great.
“Something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Learner Tien looks for comeback win at ‘dream come true’ Indian Wells debut
Born in California, Tien is no stranger to Indian Wells, as he looked back fondly upon his earliest memories at the tournament.
“At this stadium right here I think I remember watching Novak [Djokovic] play [John] Isner,” he said.
“I remember watching Roger [Federer], Novak, Rafa [Nadal], all that same year, I do distinctly remember that one match.”
Tien leaned over the barriers to get an autograph from the 24-time Major champion as a fan all those years ago and is now preparing to make his dreams come true on debut.
“It’s really a dream come true coming to play out here,” he said.
“I remember when I was younger thinking how cool it would be to play here one day.
“I’m really looking forward to it and you know, maybe I’ll get a shot to play on this [Center] court.”
Rain interrupted Tien’s first-round match at Indian Wells, as he began to mount a comeback against his Argentine opponent.
After losing the first set to Mariano Navone, 5-7, Tien looked to have recovered in the second, leading 3-2, when play was suspended overnight.
Tien and Navone will return to the court on Friday, March 7, as the American looks to secure his first win at the Masters 1000 level.
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