Learner Tien, the rising ATP star from Irvine, California, has recently shared his heartfelt thoughts on the role his parents played during a coming-of-age moment and his future living plans. The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals champion has delivered impressive performances in his Australian Open campaign and is set to face the World No. 3 German star Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinal round at Rod Laver Arena.
Learner Tien Reflects Gratitude for Parents and His Plans for Moving Out
Tien, the World No. 29, has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, his most notable achievement to date. The 20-year-old has surpassed Marcos Giron, Alexander Shevchenko, Nuno Borges, and the 2026 Brisbane International champion, Daniil Medvedev, dominantly, in the fourth round with a concluding score of 6-4, 6-0, 6-3.
Apart from his ATP career, the young player also performed well on the ITF junior circuit, winning the 2022 USTA Boys 18s National Championship and other titles. Tien’s parents, Chinese Vietnamese/Người Hoa refugee immigrants from Vietnam, Khuong Dan Tien and Huyen Tien, played tennis as a hobby, which Tien eventually pursued.
During his post-match press conference, he was asked whether he would seek independence as he matures, given that he still lives with his parents and his career’s development. To which, Tien revealed his plans while highlighting his respect and gratitude for his parents and their support.
He expressed, “I still do live at home. I think this year sometime, I’ll probably get my own place. My parents are still very much involved in my life. I’m very grateful to them for it. My family has been such a big part of my life forever. It’s hard to think of a life without them. I’m very fortunate. They still do a lot for me.”
Learner Tien says he still lives at home with his parents, ‘My family has been such a big part of my life forever. It’s hard to think of a life without them’
“You just turned 20. When you’re at home, do your parents still treat you as a kid? Are you still living at home with… pic.twitter.com/uroDW7Vvbr
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 25, 2026
Tien showed interest in the sport from a very young age, and his father was his primary coach. Before joining the USTA Player Development programme at 10 or 11 years old, Tien used to play along with his family at community courts in Irvine, California.
Coming onto his court action, he will clash against Zverev in the quarterfinal round, marking their career’s third battle. In 2025, they competed twice, with Tien winning their Mexican Open round-of-16 match and Zverev clinching the round of 128 at the French Open.
