AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2025

Learner Tien

Press Conference

L. TIEN/C. Moutet

7-6, 6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. After your previous match against Medvedev, after a big win, many players say that they have some hangover because of the mental stress of a match like that. How did you prepare the match today?

LEARNER TIEN: Yeah, I mean, I kind of had that in mind, that inevitable dropoff after a big win or a good match.

I kind of gave myself a little bit of time just to process the match and take it all in. After that, it was kind of on to the next match and focusing on my match I had today.

I was able to do it pretty well and kind of put that match behind me, but still taking some confidence from the win, yeah.

Q. Physically can you sort of take us through everything that happened from that terrible pizza you had after the other night/morning's match through yesterday when you got to the hotel, what you did, ice baths, in order to get yourself prepared to get onto the court today?

LEARNER TIEN: Let me recall.

I got back to the hotel I think around 4. I don't think I fell asleep until a little bit before 7 a.m. Slept till about 1:30-ish. I made my way over to the site.

I hit maybe 25 minutes, just kind of standing still, nothing crazy. Then I've spent some solid hours in the physio room since that match.

Today just pretty light day before the match. Didn't really do too much. Had a light hit and got some treatment before and after my warm-up. That's kind of been it.

Q. Were you able to go to sleep last night? Was that an early night?

LEARNER TIEN: A little bit later of a night last night, too, just because my day started so late. I woke up at 1:30 or something. I didn't hit till 5. I didn't get out of here until, I don't remember actually, maybe 9 or 10. Actually around 9:30. I got back a little bit before 10 and got in bed, fell asleep around 11. Got a solid night of sleep, which was much needed.

Q. Can you recall the first time you might have played against or met Alex? How much interaction have you been able to have this week? How crazy does it seem - maybe it doesn't to you - that the two of you guys are in the second week of a Grand Slam?

LEARNER TIEN: I always remember seeing him in juniors. We were playing similar tournaments. We were playing similar age groups. I would always see his in draws and stuff.

I never played him or talked to him until 2021-ish, I think. We started practicing at the same academy. We ended up playing each other in the finals of sectionals in Southern California. I got him there in three the first time we played. Then the next year he beat me, like, four times in singles and doubles. I think two in singles, two in doubles.

I didn't really know him too well before a few years ago, but we've spent a lot of time together. We practice a lot together. Definitely pretty close right now. It's great to see him doing great.

Q. When the second set was over, Moutet went to the bathroom and he came back out, you exchanged some words. What did he say to you? He was sort of known for playing mind games. Did he bother you a little bit when he tried to slow down the pace?

LEARNER TIEN: No, I mean, it didn't bother me at all. When we were crossing paths to start the third, we were smiling. I think he said something like, One more set to go, or something like that. Then he said, I'm going to keep fighting, though. Something like that. He said something like that.

First point of the third, I was like stretching for a return, so I didn't see what happened. I looked over and he was on the ground. Maybe his hip or something. I'm not sure if he was injured or cramping.

At the net he said something like, I heard him say to the physio, I'll try to play, I'll try to get through this game and see what happens.

He looked at me and said, I'm going to keep fighting just for you. So, yeah, that was kind of it.

I wasn't sure what was going on with him honestly because there were some points where it seemed like he wasn't able to move or really use his legs that much at all. Other points he was running and scrapping.

Yeah, I wasn't really sure what was going on.

Q. You've taken a dream trip. How far can you push yourself?

LEARNER TIEN: I mean, honestly it feels pretty crazy to be in the second week. Going through Qs... I've been here for a couple weeks already, I think. I mean, I was down a set and a break first round of quallies. To now be in the second week feels a little crazy.

Q. What are your main activities off court? What are your main hobbies? Read? Watch TV shows? Do you like to see the city where are you playing?

LEARNER TIEN: I watch a good bit of shows. It's tough for me to kind of finish. I'll kind of jump to a new show.

Whenever I'm home, I usually play a good bit of Fortnite with Alex when we're both home. Besides that, nothing really. I have a long list of shows I'm trying to get through, but I keep hopping before I can finish a series.

When I'm on the road, I don't really do too much. My time off-site is pretty much spent in my bed doing nothing.