Control Defines Tien’s Dominance
The announcer of Learner Tien’s highlight reel repeatedly emphasizes one word to describe his performance against Alexander Shevchenko in the second round of the Australian Open: control. The 20-year-old American defeated Shevchenko in just two hours, with half that time seeing the Kazakh player in apparent discomfort and Tien demonstrating complete command throughout the match. As the rallies progressed, Tien’s advantage became increasingly clear, leading to a decisive victory.
An Exciting Player to Watch
Tien ranks as one of my favorite players in men’s tennis due to his unique mix of strengths and a singular weakness—his serve. Standing at 5-foot-11 (though slightly misrepresented as taller on USC’s website), Tien generates a first serve averaging around 110-115 mph, which is slower compared to other powerful servers on tour. This power deficit means his second serve is often vulnerable, while his first serve requires exceptional accuracy to earn free points.
Improvements on the Horizon
Despite this challenge, there’s reason for cautious optimism. Tien recently turned 20 and won the Next Gen Finals, suggesting he has room for athletic improvement. His serving is also evolving, as new techniques have helped him achieve 30 aces against 12 double faults in Australia. His striking skills, however, far outweigh the troubles his serve may cause.
Tien’s Exceptional Touch
What stands out about Tien is his remarkable touch. He can dictate the ball’s trajectory with precision and serves effectively as a counterpuncher. He redirects hard shots with purpose and excels in creating opportunities, using his looping lefty forehand and compact backhand skillfully. Against opponents like Shevchenko, who can’t overpower him, Tien constructs impressive points, demonstrating adeptness at the net and maintaining balance while racing around the court.
Room for Improvement
Nonetheless, Tien’s serving weakness often leaves him with a slim margin for error. When he’s not at his best, he can fall prey to opponents who can easily navigate tricky situations with powerful serves. In his first-round match against Marcos Giron, he struggled with unforced errors but managed to find success when it mattered most, winning crucial points to advance.
A Unique Place in the Rankings
Compared to other young players, Tien’s approach differs significantly. Players like Jakub Mensik and Joao Fonseca dominate with powerful serves but often lack the finesse and creativity that Tien exhibits. Beneath him in the rankings are various promising players, but none possess his distinctive style or skill set.
Future Prospects
Tien and coach Michael Chang are aware of the weaponry gap in his game. Tien described himself as a “major pusher” last year, but he displays remarkable patience and insight during matches. His past achievements, including a victory over former finalist Daniil Medvedev and noteworthy performances against other top players, highlight his potential. As Tien approaches another match, anticipation buzzes among fans for a possible rematch with Medvedev.
