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

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Learner Tien is back on the court after his stunning Australian Open run, with the American off to a winning start at the Delray Beach Open.

Tien rose to 80th in the ATP rankings after reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, although he has since dropped to 82nd after reaching that career-high.

Carlos Alcaraz was surprised by Tien’s level in Melbourne, where the 19-year-old rising star beat Daniil Medvedev.

Qualifier Tien knocked out the fifth seed and 2024 runner-up in a five-set thriller in the second round of the Grand Slam.

He was then defeated by Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round, with another Italian in Matteo Arnaldi now up next on the court.

Learner Tien surprised by big crowd in first match since superb Australian Open run

Tien meets the Delray Beach Open fourth seed in the round of 16, having beaten Australian Adam Walton in the round of 32.

Asked by Christian’s Court post-match how has it been to have more people watching him since his superb Australian Open run, Tien replied: “It’s new.

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

“More people came out today than I was expecting. I didn’t play on that big of a court, so I wasn’t expecting that many people honestly.

“But it’s fun, I enjoy it. It makes the matches more exciting with more people watching, more people cheering. So all new stuff, but I don’t mind.”

Learner Tien already reaches ‘big goal’ of 2025 by breaking ATP top 100

Tien recovered from 2-4 down in the opening set to edge past Walton 6-4, 6-3, with a place in the quarter-finals now up for grabs.

He fell to Cameron Norrie in the round of 32 at the Hong Kong Open before heading to Australia, and quickly recovered by going on a phenomenal run.

The 19-year-old stormed through Australian Open qualifiers before outshining Medvedev, with Tien also beating Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Corentin Moutet in his dream run.

All of his focus is now on the Delray Beach Open, with the American teenager not exactly looking too far into the future at this moment in time.

READ MORE: Jon Wertheim wants Australian Open rule change next year after Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien debuts

Asked if he has any specific ranking or results goals for 2025, Tien replied: “Not really. This is just kind of my first year on tour, I haven’t really set too many expectations for myself.

“The big goal I had at the start of the year was breaking top 100, so to do it in kind of like my first or second tournament of the year was great. Obviously I’m pushing for more than that, but haven’t really set any specific goals.”