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Tien reached the final of the China Open. Photo: Imago

Learner Tien, the Vietnamese-American tennis player, is gaining widespread attention at the 2025 Shanghai Masters after a string of impressive performances and earning $1.8 million in prize money.

The 19-year-old rising star

At just 19 years old, Learner Tien has emerged as one of the most exciting names in the global tennis scene.

Born in 2006 in Irvine, California, to a Vietnamese father and a mother who works as a teacher, Tien has already broken into the ATP Top 40 and earned over $1.8 million in tournament winnings in 2025 alone - making him one of the rare teenage millionaires in American tennis.

His unique first name, “Learner,” was chosen by his mother and reflects her educational philosophy: that life is not only about winning but also about constantly learning and self-improvement.

“My parents wanted me to understand that every mistake is a lesson,” Tien once shared in an interview.

True to his name, Tien’s dedication to learning has propelled him from junior ITF tournaments to the highest levels of ATP competition, where he has consistently defeated top-ranked players.

The 2025 season has marked a spectacular breakthrough. At the Australian Open, he shocked the tennis world by defeating Daniil Medvedev and advancing to the fourth round - becoming the youngest American to do so since Pete Sampras in 1989.

His winning streak continued through the North American summer tour, where he beat top-10 stars including Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Andrey Rublev, and Lorenzo Musetti.

American media have dubbed him “the Alpha Generation phenomenon,” while Reuters described his game as “a remarkably calm, calculated, and resilient style.”

Burning ambition

Tien isn’t known for overpowering strength, but rather for his strategic intelligence and composure under pressure.

He patiently waits for the right moment to counterattack, controlling the match tempo and forcing opponents into errors.

His two-handed backhand is regarded by tennis analysts as one of the most consistent and refined among teenage players today.

After reaching the final of the ATP 500 China Open - his first ATP final - and only losing to Jannik Sinner, Tien climbed to World No. 36, becoming the youngest American to crack the Top 40 since Andy Roddick.

His $1.8 million income has come from prize money, a new sponsorship deal with Nike, and endorsements from several American sports brands.

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Tien impressed the crowd at the Shanghai Masters. Photo: ATP

But it’s not just his earnings that draw attention. Tien’s calm demeanor and humility have made him a fan favorite - reminiscent of Michael Chang, the legendary Asian-American who won Roland Garros in 1989 and now serves as Tien’s advisor.

Now competing in the Shanghai Masters, the young Vietnamese-American continues to build a compelling story: a true “Learner” who never stops growing while battling giants in the world of tennis.

Tien has reached the fourth round in Shanghai, where he is set to face Medvedev again on October 8 (not before 9 AM). With Sinner withdrawing from the tournament, Tien is dreaming of another final - and possibly his first ATP title in China.

With his intelligent play, mental strength, and rare discipline for a 19-year-old, Learner Tien is being hailed as the future of American tennis - and a new inspiration for the global Vietnamese community.

Ngoc Huy