By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 6, 2026
Photo credit: Tennis Canada/National Bank Open Instagram
Learner Tien has solidified his status as one of the world’s Top 20 players.
The 20-year-old Tien is also a devoted tennis fan.
So after Tien fended off 39-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils in Montreal on Wednesday night, he allowed the tennis fan within to step out.
As former world No. 6 Monfils was signing autographs for fans after his 15th and final appearance at the Canadian Open, Tien stepped up, tapped the French hero on the back and asked for an autograph of his own.
Watch Monfils comply with a smile then embrace the American, who was born four months after the Frenchman won his first career title at the 2005 Sopot.
Monfils is a class act. I will miss his tennis. I want to see the baby LOL