MELBOURNE, Australia — Learner Tien was one of the breakout teen stars of last season, starting his ascendancy with an upset of Medvedev in the second round of the Australian Open before ultimately reaching the fourth round here.
Tien kept climbing; after starting here last year in the qualifying draw, this time he returns as the No. 25 seed in the main draw; at 20, Tien is the youngest of the 32 players remaining in the men’s singles draw.
Learner Tien at the 2026 Australian Open. (Photo by Regina Cortina for Bounces)
So ahead of Tien’s third round match at the Australian Open on Friday—and a very highly-anticipated possible rematch with Medvedev in the fourth round—I am delighted to bring Bounces subscribers the pre-tournament roundtable interview I did with Tien and his fairly-recently-new coach: the Hall of Famer Michael Chang.
Michael Chang, second from right in front row, watching Learner Tien at the 2026 Australian Open. (Photo by Regina Cortina for Bounces)
We discussed their partnership, their similarities in cultural background and tennis acumen, how to stay a step ahead of the competition to avoid a sophomore slump, and how to close the gap between Tien and the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly.
Thanks for subscribing to Bounces for the 2026 Australian Open and beyond! -Ben
