2025 just keeps on getting better for Learner Tien.
Despite losing to Jannik Sinner in the China Open final, the American has reached a career-high ranking of 36th in the world – a feat he has achieved at just 19 years of age.
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After a strong start to 2025, Tien has kept the momentum all season longCredit: GETTYLearner Tien loses to Jannik Sinner
This was Tien’s first tour final, and despite his best efforts, recent Wimbledon champion Sinner proved to be too powerful for the young star.
After being broken immediately in the first set, Tien couldn’t find a way back into the game and lost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
“Congrats to Jannik on a great week, another title, an honour to share the court with you today,” he told the Italian afterwards.
For Sinner, he triumphs in Beijing for the first time since 2023 and is just the third player, alongside Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nada,l to win the China Open on multiple occasions.
This title is also his fourth of the year; only Carlos Alcaraz has more on the ATP tour, with eight crowns.
“It is a very, very special place for me,” Sinner said during the trophy presentation.
“My team, thanks for understanding and working with me. Not all the team is here, so hopefully the rest are watching from home
A 2025 to remember for Learner Tien
No matter what happens against Sinner, it’s been a historic year for Tien, who’s made history all season long.
The American began the year with his first win at a Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January before becoming the youngest man since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the fourth round.
In that same tournament, he announced himself to the world when he claimed his maiden Top 10 win by defeating Medvedev.
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The teenager overcame Daniil Medvedev at the China Open before his loss to SinnerCredit: GETTY
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At just 19, Tien sits 36th in the world rankingsCredit: GETTY
Hailing from Irvine, California, Tien is the latest American star to emerge in recent years.
He honed his passion on community courts in Irvine under his father, and his early passion for the sport quickly turned into a quality.
“I started when I was little older than one,” Tien told the Guardian earlier this year.
“I think (it was) one of my dad’s old rackets that were lying around.
“So they didn’t really even expect for me or my sister to start playing tennis that young.
“It’s not like they were prepped with little kiddy rackets or anything.
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Tien lost to fellow tennis prodigy Joao Fonesca at the Next Gen Finals in 2024Credit: GETTY
“My parents would play recreationally. I got to the courts a couple times a week, just with my dad, just watching him play in random men’s leagues.
“So that’s kind of how I got introduced. Eventually my dad started taking me to the courts, randomly feeding me balls from a pretty young age, and then it kind of just progressed from there on.”
Tien went on to excel in junior tournaments and secured a spot in the prestigious United States Tennis Association youth development programme.
Although tennis for a while wasn’t Tien’s priority, he had entered high school early at the age of 11 after being homeschooled by his mom, who named him Learner in homage to her profession as a teacher.
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Tien will break into the top 50 should he pull off a remarkable upset against SinnerCredit: GETTY
“The tennis wasn’t really in the picture yet,” Tien says.
“My sister is a few years older than me, so my mom retired when my sister was born, so she was already just at home with my sister starting to teach my sister. So she just thought she’d teach me, too.
“I started school young. I would work through the year. I wouldn’t have summer break and stuff like that. I would just work throughout the year. So I just naturally finished those early grades pretty quick. And then, yeah, I didn’t see really a reason just to stop me there. So I just went into high school.
“I obviously like tennis more than I like school, so it was a good motivation for me to kind of get away from school just to go and play. But throughout juniors, my parents did a very good job, honestly, of not putting a lot of pressure on me to win”
Tien at Grand Slams in 2025
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Tien announced himself to the world with his Australian Open runCredit: GETTY
It’s safe to say tennis is definitely Tien’s priority now.
Following the Australian Open, the 19-year-old stepped onto the famous clay of Roland-Garros, where he automatically qualified for with his World No. 67 ranking.
That French Open dream was cut short, as Tien faced a mammoth task in the first round with World No.3 and last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev standing opposite him.
He was beaten in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
But fast forward a month, and Tien has fared better in the first round of another Grand Slam.
On the opening day of Wimbledon, the young American cruised to victory against fellow countryman Nishesh Basavareddy.
He secured a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 win on Court 6 to advance to the second round at the All England Club.
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Tien’s Wimbledon and US Open campaigns ended earlyCredit: GETTY
“To play here is really cool. I think if you told both of us a long time ago that this would happen, we would both be really happy,” Tien said, after his first win at Wimbledon that came over a friend he first met on court at Under-8 level.
“I honestly just think that it’s cool we got to play each other here on this stage. We’ve been playing for a long time through juniors, national tournaments, challengers.”
Tien would lose to Nicolas Jarry in straight sets in the second round as the experienced Chilean proved too powerful for him.
Unfortunately for Tien, the US Open, his home Grand Slam, also ended early after he was handed an ultra difficult task in the form of Novak Djokovic in round one.
Tien’s efforts since turning professional has seen the teen earn $1,863,031 in his career.