Learner Tien has ‘noticed’ a big difference in what happens during his tennis matches now which he really likes

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Learner Tien is one of tennis’ brightest young stars and is continuing to rise up the ranks.

After reaching the Next Gen ATP Finals championship match in December 2024, Tien maintained his momentum and carried into his first full season on the ATP Tour.

He became the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the fourth round of Australian Open, beating three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev along the way.

Tien has shown great promise and after some oratory results on the hard courts, he now aims to make an impression on the European clay courts.

What did Learner Tien notice that is different about his matches now?

Learner Tien is still very new to the ATP Tour and to tennis audiences, but he certainly did himself no harm with some results he has achieved this season.

His run to the last 16 in Melbourne and a quarter-final showing in Delray Beach showed how much Tien possesses, and fans are interested to see how far he can go.

The 19-year-old is already making a big impression as he told the ATP website that he noticed something different about his matches now, especially when he played Joao Fonseca in Miami.

“I knew going into it that one with Joao there would be a lot of Brazilian fans, and that’s totally deserved, he always draws a big crowd,” he said. “But I think it’s fun. It adds drama and suspense to the match, which I enjoy.

“Once I step on court, I don’t think about it too much. But afterward, I can reflect and be like, ‘Yeah, that was pretty cool, having all those fans watch’.

“When the whole arena is locked in from the first point, it just makes the match more exciting. I have noticed there are way more people at my matches now and I love that.”

What did Learner Tien say about playing on clay?

Tien is now playing on the European clay, a surface he is not accustomed to. He has yet to win a main draw on the surface so far this season, and he is now set to enter the Madrid Open.

Not only is Tien adjusting to clay but he is also visiting some new countries for the first time, something he is embracing an enjoying.

“It’s a lot to take in, playing all these new events,” Tien explained. “I’m playing in places I’ve never been, in countries I’ve never visited. But I’m trying to enjoy it all.

“It’s my first real go at the full Tour, so I’m just soaking it all in. It is cool to share the locker room with the top players, something I am getting used to. I am just excited to play these events.

“It’s definitely different from the clay, very different from what I’ve played on before. I have had a hit here and I will adjust to it but I don’t have a lot of experience on clay in general and the clay in the United States is not the same as here,” Tien added.

“But I think it’s a great learning opportunity. If not now, then in the next couple of years, I’m sure the experience will help me a lot. That is what I will try and take from these next weeks.”