The tennis world learned a lesson at Australian Open 2026.
Learner Tien is the real deal.
The 20-year-old American arrived at Melbourne Park seeded at a major for the first time, a year after reaching the fourth round as a qualifier.
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His progression was unmistakable.
Over the past 12 months, Tien has added significant weight to his game: his average first-serve speed climbed from 175km/h to 185km/h, he generated three per cent more winners from both wings, and he finished AO 2026 having used the drop shot 17 more times than at the same event last year.
The creativity in Tien’s arsenal was so pronounced that third seed Alexander Zverev, after edging him in four sets on Tuesday, offered praise.
“I don’t think I’ve played someone with this level from the baseline since a very long time,” Zverev said.
“I don’t know what [coach] Michael Chang has done with him in the off-season, but the way he’s playing is incredible. I probably would not have won today without my 20 aces.”
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Tien will rue his nine double faults, but an 11-point edge in rallies lasting five shots or more underscored how far his baseline game has evolved.
“Obviously, I know I’ve been playing great tennis. I know maybe even coming to this year in Brisbane, maybe I wasn’t playing amazing, and even starting off my tournament here, I wasn’t playing incredible by any means,” Tien said.
“But I think very happy with how I was kind of improving with each match. I think, you know, match by match, day by day, I just felt a little bit more comfortable.
“I felt like I was seeing the ball a little bit better. By the end of the tournament, I was playing very well. I’m very happy about that.”