Tien highlights Chang's role within his team: "He hasn't stopped helping me since he arrived"

Now that the 2025 season has come to an end, it's time to review some trajectories that have shone brightly in these past months. For instance, the rise of a force like Learner Tien, already seen as one of the biggest promises on the circuit. Starting the season at #122 in the rankings and finishing at #28, it's clear to see that we are faced with a tennis player unlike the others. A special talent like Learner Tien, capable of delivering some memorable matches despite being only 19 years old. There will be many keys to list in order to fully understand the meaning of this ascent, but the most appealing part came right at the end, in the final tournament of the calendar, where he emerged victorious at the ATP 250 Metz after another fantastic week. "Winning was very special to me, it was definitely a great goal I had set for myself at the beginning of the season," said the American about his first ATP title, achieved under the roof of the French city. "Moreover, it happened in the last week of the year, where I really wanted it to happen, so it meant a lot to me. I still can't believe what has happened in this season's finale, honestly," Tien added in an article prepared by ATP. His varied style on the court blends perfectly with a calm and approachable nature, essential tools to listen and accept help at every stage. "I haven't had many coaches, but I've been fortunate to have had coaches who have been with me my whole life. Each of them played a role in me, both personally and in my game. I'm very grateful for all the people who have helped me, starting with my parents. My father is my main coach; he was the first person I spoke to after winning in Metz," Tien clarified. With a record of 39-25 in his breakthrough season in the top 100, Learner has managed to reach December with a place inside the top 30, meaning he has the privilege of being seeded in the upcoming Australian Open. "It's a great achievement, of course. I wasn't sure where I would end up in the rankings at the end of the season, but after that week in Metz, everything became clear. It will be a great advantage to arrive at the Australian Open as a seeded player, it's something I didn't think about during the last few matches, which would have added extra pressure on myself."

 

Michal Chang, key figure within Tien's team

Already in 2024, his audacity caught our attention when we saw him reach the Next Gen Finals, where he fell to Fonseca in the final. Today, we can talk about Learner Tien as the first American teenager since Andy Roddick capable of lifting a professional title. A quality left-handed player whom one always enjoys watching on screen, especially since Michael Chang joined the team last August. Major words, a mentor of high caliber for one of the most promising players on the tour. "It has been great to have Michael on the team; it's tremendously special to have a legend like him close by, he hasn't stopped helping me since he arrived. I love the vision he brings, the experience he has; I feel we have connected very well from the start, which has allowed us to work really well," Tien remarked.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tien destaca la figura de Chang dentro de su equipo: “No ha parado de ayudarme desde que llegó”