Learner Tien on mental approach he'll use against Novak Djokovic at the US Open 2025 in bid to cause another upset - Exclusive

With a knack for defeating the top tennis players in the world, Learner Tien is fearless.

The 19-year-old from California, USA, started the 2025 season outside of the world's top 100. He has since enjoyed a meteoric rise, including four statement wins over men in the top 10 of the rankings.

“I try to approach all my matches thinking about what I can control and trying to focus on my side of the court,” Tien tells Olympics.com on what allows him to shock the best in the game. “That helps, when I'm playing someone ranked [world number] five or if I'm playing someone ranked 200.

“It helps me be focused and not think of who I'm playing as much as what I need to do. Sometimes your head can go a lot of different places in those matches. It helps me a lot, just focusing on what I can control.”

He first hit the headlines with a maiden victory against a top 10 player in former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev. Having come through qualifying to make his main draw debut at this year’s Australian Open, Tien prevailed in a four-hour, 48-minute marathon to upset the then world no. 5 on his way to the fourth round, his best major performance to date.

The American quickly proved that it was no fluke: the next month, Tien stunned world number two and Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Subsequent wins over fellow countryman Ben Shelton and Olympic mixed doubles gold medallist Andrey Rublev complete the list of upsets so far.

At a career high of world number 48, Tien is tennis’ ultimate underdog in David vs Goliath clashes. He has now been dealt a tantalising first round tie at the 2025 US Open: a debut encounter with Novak Djokovic, the reigning Olympic champion and a four-time champion at Flushing Meadows.

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