Learner Tien Hopes to Follow in Coach Michael Chang’s Footsteps on Clay: “Have Full faith in Everything He Tells Me”

Learner Tien will lock horns with Nishesh Basavareddy in the opening round of the ATP 250 Houston Open.

Learner Tien Hopes to Follow in Coach Michael Chang’s Footsteps on Clay: “Have Full faith in Everything He Tells Me”

Michael Chang, Learner Tien (Image via Tennis.com, X/Served with Andy Roddick)

In Short
  • Learner Tien begins his singles campaign at the ATP Houston against compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy.
  • He aims to emulate his coach Michael Chang's success on clay and has gained confidence under his guidance.
  • Tien has achieved significant milestones, including reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and winning the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals.

Learner Tien will be kick-starting his singles campaign on the clay swing in the ongoing ATP Houston. Up against him in the opening round will be compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy.

Tien views playing on clay as a “learning process” and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his coach, Michael Chang, a fellow Asian-American. Last summer, the 20-year-old started working with the 54-year-old, who is a former World No.2, the winner of the 1989 Roland Garros, as well as the finalist of the 1996 Australian Open and 1996 US Open.

I have full faith in everything he tells me and everything he wants me to do. I really don’t question things, and it’s obviously paid off. That just adds to that trust… The way he communicates and the way I communicate are pretty similar, and so I feel like I receive information from him very well.

Learner Tien told Tennis.com

Tien said that since he started working with Chang, his belief in himself has grown. He also revealed that no matter how he performs, Chang is always very encouraging.

It might sound a little random, but I think he’s helped me to realize that there’s more than just tennis. Obviously, it’s important, and I don’t know if this is on purpose or just a random thing, but it’s driven home to me that, while we’ve been working together, there’s a lot more than tennis.

Learner Tien added

Under the tutelage of Chang, Tien made the finals of last year’s China Open (lost to World No.2 Jannik Sinner) and last year’s Moselle Open (beat Cameron Norrie). Tien also lifted the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals and progressed to his career’s first Grand Slam quarterfinals at this year’s Australian Open, losing the match to three-time Major finalist Alexander Zverev.

He also made the semifinals of the Delray Beach Open (lost to Tommy Paul), and reached his career’s first Masters 1000 quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Masters, losing to eventual winner Sinner.

In Houston, Tien also played doubles with fellow American ace Alex Michselsen. But they lost to the pair of Fernando Romboli and Santiago Gonzalez in the opening round.

Learner Tien on his matches against Ben Shelton

Learner Tien has played compatriot Ben Shelton two times, and on both occasions, he emerged victorious. It was Tien who knocked out the World No.9 in the round of 16 of last year’s Mallorca Open. And it was Tien who ended Shelton’s run in this year’s Indian Wells. During the aforementioned interview with Tennis.com, Tien was asked about his strategy while facing Shelton.

Ben Shelton Canadian Open 2025
Ben Shelton (image via National Bank Open)

Every time I play him, it’s always a difficult match-up. I’m sure I’m gonna play him again in the future…so I’m not gonna say much.

Shelton will be starting his singles campaign in Houston against Zhang Zhizhen. Before arriving in Houston, he suffered an opening-round exit at the Miami Open, losing to Alexander Shevchenko in three sets. Tien also exited after playing his opening-round match in Miami.

Shelton has already added one title to his name this year. He lifted the Dallas Open by defeating compatriot Taylor Fritz. So far in his career, Shelton has featured in two clay-court finals. He lifted the 2024 Houston Open by beating Frances Tiafoe, and last year, lost to Alexander Zverev at the Munich Open.

Last year at the French Open, the 23-year-old suffered a fourth-round exit in what was also his best performance in the clay-court Major, while Tien lost in the first round on his debut. Shelton failed to make deep runs in the three Masters 1000 events on clay last year.

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