Andre Agassi is singing Learner Tien's praises, and it's easy to see why! The legendary eight-time Grand Slam champion is convinced that the young star, Learner Tien, possesses both the mental fortitude and physical capabilities to not only compete with the best but to thrive on the professional tennis circuit.
Tien's ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. Starting the year ranked at a respectable No. 122 in the world, he's quickly become a frontrunner for the coveted Most Improved Player of the Year award.
Last year, Tien dominated the lower-tier tournaments, securing seven titles. He then steadily established himself as a force on the ATP tour in the first half of 2025. But this fall, he truly exploded onto the scene. At the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing, he pulled off a stunning upset against Daniil Medvedev, rocketing him into his first-ever ATP final. There, he faced world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, ultimately losing in a hard-fought match.
His debut in Shanghai was equally impressive, where he secured four victories before narrowly losing a three-set thriller to Medvedev in the round of 16. This incredible run has propelled him to his current ranking of No. 38 in the world.
Agassi's admiration for Tien is clear. He stated, "He (Learner) has learned the game phenomenally well. He is incredibly gifted, not just with his game, but with his mind." Agassi went on to add, "He has to overcome certain physical limitations versus other guys, as far as size and strength (goes), but he's still so young. When I really look at him from a tennis player execution standpoint, he's one of the few guys I say to myself, (I don't know) how would I help him get better -- he does everything."
Standing at 5' 11" (180cm) and weighing 160 lbs (73kg), Tien isn't the biggest player on the court. But his playing style, reminiscent of Alex de Minaur, is all about grit and determination. He makes his opponents work for every single point.
Agassi further emphasized, "Mentally he absolutely has what it takes."
Before his breakthrough season in 2025, Tien already showed his potential by winning the NextGen ATP Finals in Jeddah in December 2024.
But here's where it gets interesting... Agassi mentions Tien's physical limitations. Is this a potential weakness, or can Tien's mental strength and skillful play completely overcome it? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
