Just 20 years old but Learner Tien is already a top 25 elite at just the start of his second ATP Tour season, which by the way, is ahead of Roger Federer’s progression in his second season – RF was ranked 29 at the end of his second full ATP season.
Today Tien matadored the three years elder no. 8 seed Ben Shelton 76 46 63. Tien is now 2-0 career vs Shelton and 6-5 top ten opposition. Tien explained the secret to his success against the top ten elites, Everybody is capable of beating anyone anytime, he’s good at treating every match the same and focusing on the task at hand.
Tien can break into the the top 20 with a good run in the desert but Sinner is looming ahead.
It was astounding to see Tien baffle Shelton with his baseline repertoire, passing shots and he even out-aced the fellow lefthander today.
There are no limits to where this lefty marvel can ascent to ranking-wise. With more experience on the tour combating the best of the best, Tien has only touched the surface of what his talents can produce on the court. He doesn’t grunt, he doesn’t play mind games, he doesn’t resort to any controversy or trickery, he just outclasses you between the lines.
Tien is fantastic with the media too. Today he was asked about which players influenced him as a young player? “There wasn’t one guy but me and my early coaches were good at stealing from several pros. So if I saw a forehand I liked, or a certain shot I liked, we would steal the concept and apply it.”
Tien may just be the best American prospect since Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras or Andy Roddick.
Learner Tien