My Influences: Tien trusting the process & bouncing off Michelsen

Will Learner Tien be the next American star on the ATP Tour? The 18-year-old is in red-hot form, having won 14 of his past 16 ATP Challenger Tour matches, lifting trophies in Las Vagas and Fairfield.

There are currently four Americans inside the Top 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings with Tien's fellow #NextGenATP star Alex Michelsen inside the Top 50.

Speaking to ATPTour.com at the US Open as part of our Next Gen 'My Influences' series, Tien discusses his relationship with Michelsen, the key to a successful team and more.

What have you learned this past year on Tour?
I think just trusting what I'm doing. Just really believing in what I am putting in and eventually, whether it's now or down the road, that it will pay off. I had an injury earlier this year and I was out for a few months. So I'm kind of behind, but I know that if I just keep working to get back I'll inevitably achieve.

I think that it's been huge for me just to have decent bit of success the past few months and see my work pay off. I think it's been very motivating and it's been a good lesson for me to just plug away and trust that what I'm doing is going to pay off.

Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with Alex Michelsen?
I think it's really cool to have a friend that you see so often that you've practised with so often for the past three, four years. You see them having a lot of success and I think it's always nice. It's fun getting to practise with him. We've been going to the same academy for a while. It is inspiring to know that he's leading the way and I am just trying to catch up.

I'm obviously really happy for him. He's a good friend of mine and it's great to see him do well.

What sort of attributes do you look for when bringing people into your team?
I feel like I try to surround myself with like-minded individuals, people that share the same goals.  Personality-wise, I don't feel I have a set criteria for someone I want to surround myself with. With my goals, I mean aspirations.

I feel like it's easier to relate and be yourself around other like-minded individuals, people that share the same motivations, the same qualities as you. I think everyone plays their own role in my team. Some people you need to lift you up, but you also need someone that's not willing to take a chip at you.

You just need a balance. You can't just be getting pampered, but at the same time can't just be getting bashed down. So I think a good balance is good for healthy development.

Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion did you enjoy watching most when growing up?
I feel at a certain point, when you start to play tennis you appreciate everyone you really watch because you understand their thought process when you see them play and you understand what they're trying to do. It's cool to see how they progress after winning an event like the Next Gen Finals and how their pathway progresses after.

Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion do you most identify with?
When I first started getting into tennis, watching tennis — and I didn't for a while, until I was probably 15, 16 — it was probably [Carlos] Alcaraz. He really drew me into watching tennis at first. I guess the entertainment factor drew me in and I obviously started understanding tennis better watching all these guys. I really appreciated watching these matches a lot more.

What have been some of the general influences in your life over the years, whether it be parents, early coaches, other people who have influenced you?
My parents have been key. They introduced me to the sport, integrated me in. I am the youngest in my family and everyone played tennis before I did, so I was just following them. My dad was my coach until I was probably 11 or 12 and still had a big say in my tennis for a while after that. I definitely give a lot of credit to my dad for that.

Read More from our 'My Influences' series
My Influences: Shang on Alcaraz experience & parents' support
My Influences: Quinn on 'grounded' Sinner & Paul's mentorship
My Influences: Gaubas opens up on 'amazing' Alcaraz experience

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