“I just go out and try to enjoy it as much as I can.”
Relaxed, unhurried and buoyed by a calm, unwavering confidence, Learner Tien exudes calm as he reflects on a breakthrough season that has turned heads on the ATP Tour.
Still just 19, the rising American reached the title match at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF and now returns to the 2025 20-and-under showdown as one of the players to watch. His year saw a series of firsts and milestones, including a first ATP 250 crown in Metz, marking him as one of the sport’s fastest climbing talents.
In the opening episode of the new Journey to Jeddah series, Tien revisits his earliest memories on the pitch, shares what he learned from his debut year on Tour and talks about competitiveness, pressure and why friendships with peers are more important than most people realise.
“I think all the young guys are doing a great job of pushing each other. It helps to see familiar faces in new places,” Tien says. “So many other guys live almost the same lives as you… It’s comforting to know that you have so much in common with the people around you.”
Japan’s Rei Sakamoto is also in the spotlight in episode 1. The 19-year-old, known for his self-described quirky personality and booming service, is navigating the crucial transition from juniors to the ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour. Coach Federico Ricci is encouraged by Sakamoto’s development, but emphasizes the importance of sharpening focus as the next phase of his career begins to unfold.
With expert insight from Lee Goodall and Candy Reid-Harrop, episode one sets the tone for a compelling series, charting the journeys of the game’s most exciting young names as they race towards Jeddah. Watch the first episode now.
The Next Gen ATP Finals 2025, presented by PIF, will take place from December 17 to 21.
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