Learner Tien says "legend" Michael Chang has provided "a constant help" since joining his team and admits he is extremely grateful to collaborate with a former champion.
Tien, whose family has a Vietnamese background but he was born in California and represents the United States, has been working with Erik Kortland for quite some time. In his first tournament of the 2025 season in Hong Kong, the 19-year-old crossed paths with Chang and spoke with him briefly. Half a year later, the 1989 French Open champion agreed to start working with the rising American tennis star.
Since then, Tien has made two finals and become an ATP champion - the 19-year-old finished as runner-up to Jannik Sinner in the Beijing final before beating Cameron Norrie in the Metz title match. The American, who started the 2025 season ranked at No. 122, finished the year enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 28 in the world. In the second part of 2025, the world No. 28 clinched wins over the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini and Andrey Rublev.
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Tien: It's special to have a legend like Chang in my team
"It's great to have been able to add Michael (Chang) to the team, it's special to have a legend like him by my side. He hasn't stopped helping me since he arrived. I love the vision he has, as well as his experience. I feel like we've had a good relationship from day one, which has allowed us to work really well together," the 19-year-old told the ATP.
As mentioned above, Tien has been working with coach Kortland for quite some time. And adding Chang to his staff has only helped.
"I've not had a lot of coaches, but I've been fortunate enough to have the coaches I've had my whole life. I think everyone's played their role in me, as a person, in my game. I'm very thankful for everyone that's helped me. Obviously, my parents. My dad is my first coach. I talked to him right after the match. A lot of people to thank and a lot of people I'm very grateful for," the American explained.
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Tien is evidently surrounded with the right people and he will certainly aim to take his rise to the next level in 2026.
