AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 25, 2026

Learner Tien

Press Conference

L. TIEN/D. Medvedev

6-4, 6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: First of all, congrats, Learner. Into your first quarterfinal of the Grand Slam. Would you say you played your best tennis today?

LEARNER TIEN: I definitely think I played close to my best, if not. Yeah, I mean, really happy with how I played from start to finish. You know, even when I was up big, you know, I just tried not to let my foot off the gas.

Obviously Daniil is pretty dangerous from any scoreline. I know that firsthand from playing last year, so I'm super happy to be getting off in straights.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How good did you feel at the start? What was feeling good for you right away in this match and allowed you to get that lead and then build that lead?

LEARNER TIEN: Yeah, I mean, came out very well. My nose started bleeding in the third game. I was really hoping that I wouldn't come back out cold and, you know, be a little bit thrown off by it. Thankfully I was able to keep my momentum going.

Yeah, I thought I came out playing really well, and I was able to hold that momentum pretty much throughout the whole match.

Q. Do you get nose bleeds often, or do you know what caused that?

LEARNER TIEN: I think it was just dry. I think my first nose blood on court was a couple of weeks ago in Brisbane, and this was my second time. I think it's just a bit dry.

Q. Could you believe that momentum was in your favor so much of that match and the way things were stacking up for you in the contest?

LEARNER TIEN: Yeah, I mean, I was trying to keep it, you know, just think one point at a time, not think too far ahead.

I mean, towards the third, I started to look back a little bit and almost be a bit surprised in how long I had been able to keep my momentum going for. I think it was great to only be broken once playing a returner as good as him.

So I'm really happy with, kind of, how I kept the match flowing and, you know, how I played from start to finish.

Q. Just the way you played today and into obviously quarters, how much confidence does this give you going into that match against Zverev, and how do you feel about that one?

LEARNER TIEN: I mean, a lot of confidence, for sure. I feel like I have been playing a little bit better match by match, and, you know, each match I'm making a little jump in how well I'm playing, how comfortable I feel.

Right now I'm feeling better than I have all week, all year, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Q. Looking back at last year's five-set epic, how do you think you have changed as a player since then? This was quite a different match today. How would you compare the two?

LEARNER TIEN: I feel like I have a lot more experience now. I mean, I have only had a year since then, but, I mean, that's a lot more than I had then.

So I think just the mental clarity in some of these moments, you know, knowing how to handle matches like these a little bit better makes a really big difference.

Q. Have you had any nice messages or contact yet from friends and family?

LEARNER TIEN: Yeah, a little bit. From those who are awake, got a few, which is nice to see after the match (smiling).

Q. Who was awake?

LEARNER TIEN: Most of my family, my girlfriend, a couple of friends, a couple old coaches. Yeah, it's nice to see once you get off the court.

Q. Seems like you were really breaking his brain at points. He did an underarm serve and then he did the serve from the corner, as well. I know you have beaten a lot of guys easily in your junior career and had big wins. How satisfying is it for you to see an opponent as good as Medvedev out of ideas about how to beat you?

LEARNER TIEN: I didn't think about it too much, honestly. I really didn't want to let it throw me off. I was obviously playing well. I had a lot of momentum, so I didn't want to get thrown off by him trying to change things up. Obviously I can't expect him not to try.

I was just trying to stay focused as best I could. You know, when you're playing him, no scoreline feels super safe, honestly. Just keeping my head down, trying to keep things rolling was pretty much it.

Q. Looking at the way you play tennis, it's easy to forget that you have just turned 20. Last year you were a teenager. When you're at home, do your parents still treat you as a kid? Are you still living at home with your mom and dad? What's Learner Tien like at home when you're not playing tennis?

LEARNER TIEN: I do still live at home. I think sometime this year I'll probably get my own place, but, I mean, my parents are still very much involved in my life, and I'm very grateful to them for it.

You know, my family has been such a big part of my life forever, and it's hard to think of a life without them. So I'm very fortunate. You know, they still do a lot for me.

Q. You played twice against Zverev last year, Acapulco and Paris. What do you remember about each of those? Can each of those experiences help with this next one?

LEARNER TIEN: Yeah, the first time we played, I doubt he was playing close to his best. But still, I mean, still take confidence from that match.

Second time we played in Paris, it was much more convincing for him. I don't think I broke him during the whole match. Obviously I was on clay, it was a little bit different, but, I mean, I think we've both come a decent way from the last time we played, and so, you know, I think he's probably playing a lot better than he was maybe the first time we played. So I think it will be interesting.

Q. At times there was a fair amount of chatter between you and Michael in the box. Curious if you like to have a lot of interaction like in matches in general, or how do you feel about that?

LEARNER TIEN: I personally don't care that much. I always just tell him if there is something like blatantly obvious that I'm missing, feel free to shout at me. If you can't get my attention, feel free to do whatever it takes to get me to notice what you're trying to tell me.

I feel like usually I'm pretty attentive on things going on in the match, so most of the time, I don't need someone to really, you know, notify me about something, but sometimes there are just some things that in the heat of the moment I miss, so it's nice to have someone there that will just remind me.

Q. Are you a Rams fan?

LEARNER TIEN: I'm not really into football (smiling).