'I felt like I couldn't lose': Tien draws on standout form to excel in Jeddah

There are few players in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF field who have tasted success quite like Learner Tien in 2024.

Boasting a 31-9 win-loss record across the year, the American has thrived on the ATP Challenger Tour. After scooping three titles and climbing to a career high of No. 114 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Tien arrives as the fifth seed among the world’s eight best 20-and-under players.

“I felt like I couldn’t lose a match,” said Tien of his 28-match win streak from May to July across all levels. “No matter the score, it wasn’t meant to be over and I still found a way, until I didn’t. I always had this confidence that I could come through, which I feel you should always have.”

Yet it has not all been plain sailing for the 19-year-old, who was forced onto the sidelines for three months at the beginning of the season through a seventh-rib fracture.

“If you had told me then that I would be ranked where I am now, I would be thrilled. Even before I was injured, I had the goal of being around 150-175 [in the rankings], without that setback. To come back after missing three months and still have a year as good as I ended up having, it’s great. I’m really happy with where I am.”

Injury is a daunting prospect for any player, but Tien never lost hope. In fact, he credits the impressive breakthrough 2024 season - during which he has catapulted over 300 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings - to the time he was left contemplating on the recovery bed.

“Getting injured resulted in a good bit of time off, I think that was good for my mental [state] to reset a little bit,” said Tien. “Having such little time on court, I wanted us to get back and play, so that really motivated me and made it easy for me to come back and want to get better.

“Coming back, I was a little rusty, but I had a good bit of success right off the bat. It was really good for my confidence to come back after missing some time off and still win some matches.”

Squad goals? Nailed it. ?#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/J8Xm3QeTLg

Tien, a two-time USTA Boys’ 18s National Champion, is one of three Americans in the eight-man field in Jeddah. Alongside him are second seed Alex Michelsen and Nishesh Basavareddy, both of whom share more than just a nationality with Tien; they share a friendship forged through years of climbing the junior ranks together.

“It feels weird coming out this far to see familiar faces,” said Tien. “It’s nice having good friends out here with you and seeing people who you grew up with. It’s really cool for sure.”

Debutant Tien will have to adjust to the innovative rules at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF rather quickly as he opens his account against ATP Newcomer of the Year and World No. 48 Jakub Mensik on Wednesday.

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