Southern California native Learner Tien is turning heads, and eight-time major champion Andre Agassi is among his newest admirers. After reaching the Beijing final, southpaw Tien has rocketed to No. 38 in the world—up from No. 121 at the Australian Open this January.
Agassi, the current Team World Captain at Laver Cup, has an eye for current ATP talent, and he likes what he sees in Tien.
Speaking from Hong Kong, Agassi told the AFP that Tien “has learned the game phenomenally well. He is incredibly gifted, not just with his game, but with his mind.”
The eight-time major champion He acknowledged the teenager’s physical limitations—“as far as size and strength goes”— but added, “When I really look at him … he does everything.”
Agassi also voiced confidence in Tien’s mental resolve: “Mentally he absolutely has what it takes.”
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev, who edged past Tien in Shanghai, was also full of praise for the Irvine, California native recently.
“In my opinion he is an unbelievable player, because he doesn’t have a great serve and serve is so important in tennis,” Medvedev said. “Without the serve, he is 19 years old and 30-something in the world and only going up. In my opinion he is such a good tennis player.
“He feels the game so well. There are so many guys right now that just hit strong with every ball they have, and they have an amazing serve which allows them to stay in the tennis match. He doesn’t have it, and he manages to play so good without it.”
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