#NextGenATP star Learner Tien became the ninth first-time winner on the ATP Tour this season with his breakthrough win on Saturday at the Moselle Open.
The 19-year-old defeated Cameron Norrie in the final to make his Top-30 debut in the PIF ATP Rankings. With the win, Tien also became the first American teenager to win a tour-level title since Andy Roddick, 19, in 2002.
The indoor hardcourt ATP 250 crown is the latest highlight in what has already been an impressive season for the southpaw. After finishing second at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF last year, he has recorded five wins over Top 10 players this season and reached his first tour-level final at the ATP 500 in Beijing, where he lost to Jannik Sinner.
ATPTour.com spoke with Tien to discuss his title run, his journey and more…
What does it mean to win your first ATP tour title?
It’s really special to me. It was a big goal I had when I started this season. It was the last week of the year. I really wanted to make it happen. So it means a lot.
Who have been the most influential people in helping you reach this moment in your career?
I haven’t had many coaches, but I’ve been fortunate to have the coaches I’ve had my whole life. I think everyone has played their role in me, as a person, in my game. I am very grateful for everyone who helped me. My parents, of course. My father is my first coach. I spoke to him straight after the match. Lots of people to thank and lots of people I’m very grateful for.
You’re about to break into the Top 30 for the first time at age 19. What does that achievement mean to you?
That’s actually great. I wasn’t sure what my exact ranking would be after this week. But honestly, being posted to Australia was a bonus for me. It’s something I really tried not to take into account during competitions and put some extra pressure on myself. So that’s great.
What lessons did you learn from your first ATP Tour final last month against Jannik Sinner?
I think it helped with the nerves a bit, to be honest. I obviously felt some nerves today playing for my first title, but I think it helped me a lot in that setting at that stage of the tournament with just pre-match jitters and things like that.
What would you have been if you hadn’t found tennis, now that your mother was a teacher and your father was a lawyer?
I’d probably be a loser. I’ve never actually taken too much else. So I guess I’m lucky.
What was it like having former world number 2 Michael Chang join your team this year?
It was great. It was very special to have him on my team. He helped me a lot. The insight he brings, the experience he has. I have the feeling that we clicked well and that we were able to work well together.
What is the one lesson or story that stands out from your time with him so far?
Does today count? [I would say] Today. Today is the best day of the year.
You went to college for a semester before turning pro. How has the journey since then been different than you expected when you made that decision?
I wouldn’t say I had many expectations of what would happen after I left school. Honestly, I just wanted to be done with school. So I felt like I was ready to go out and dedicate myself completely to playing tennis. I’ve had a lot of first experiences this year, but I wouldn’t say anything super shocking just because I didn’t have a lot of expectations for what was going to happen.
This is a milestone moment in your career, how will you celebrate this victory?
Don’t know. I have no idea. I’m still recording it, to be honest. I still can’t really believe it. I didn’t actually eat anywhere outside of my hotel room [here in Metz] this whole week. Lunch or dinner. I ordered food to my room, the exact same meal for every meal in my room this week, so I’ll probably do something different tonight.
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