Learner Tien left a tongue-in-cheek message for compatriot Taylor Fritz after the latter won the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles event with Elena Rybakina and a prize of $200,000. Before the start of the main draw of the ATP and WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells, several of the top men’s and women’s players competed in the Tie Break Tens single-elimination event.
Learner Tien Jabs at Taylor Fritz After Eisenhower Cup Triumph With Elena Rybakina
There was added pressure on the pair as defending champions, but their chemistry and coordination stood out throughout the campaign. Fritz and Rybakina opened with a win over Matteo Berrettini and Jasmine Paolini before comfortably defeating Casper Ruud and Iga Świątek.
In the final, the American and the reigning Australian Open champion faced Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien, who stepped in after Andrey Rublev was unable to compete while traveling to Indian Wells, having been stranded in Dubai alongside Daniil Medvedev amid tensions in the Middle East.
Fritz later celebrated the triumph on Instagram, sharing a series of pictures featuring him and Rybakina from the event. He thanked his partner in a caption that read, “Had to go back to back🫡 mixed doubles specialist @lenarybakina thanks for another carry 🏆,” he captioned the post.
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The post quickly gained attention, including from runner-up Tien, who used the opportunity to throw a joke. He commented, “happy u won i know u need the extra cash 🙏.”
Fritz will aim to make his mark at the BNP Paribas Open as the home favorite. He exited in the fourth round at the Australian Open, finished runner-up in Dallas after losing to Ben Shelton in the final, and then suffered a quarterfinal defeat to compatriot Tommy Paul in Delray Beach. The world No. 7 currently holds a 9-6 record and will look to improve it in the California desert.
Rybakina, after a quarterfinal exit in Brisbane to open her season, found her rhythm at the Australian Open, navigating a demanding draw before defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final to lift the title.
She was unable to sustain that momentum, bowing out in the quarterfinals in Doha and later in the third round in Dubai. Still, the Kazakh holds a strong 12-3 record and arrives at the Indian Wells Open with a prime opportunity to claim her second title of the season. It remains to be seen if both stars can once again rise to the occasion and translate promise into silverware.
