In an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 NextGen ATP Finals, Learner Tien emerged victorious, claiming his first title in this prestigious event held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Tien, who was the runner-up in the previous year’s competition, showcased his resilience and skill against Alexander Blockx, sealing the match in straight sets with a score of 4-3(4), 4-2, 4-1 after just 59 minutes on court.
The final was a testament to Tien’s ability to perform under pressure. Despite Blockx entering the match with an undefeated record throughout the tournament, the 20-year-old Belgian struggled to find his rhythm against Tien, who demonstrated outstanding performance metrics. Tien did not face a single break point and boasted an impressive first-serve points win rate of 85%. He also excelled on return, winning 70% of the points against Blockx’s second serves.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match,” Tien remarked post-match. “I don’t think he missed a first serve for the first set and a half. I think he’s been playing great, so I’m just really happy to get through.”
Blockx reflected on his experience at the tournament, expressing gratitude for the organization and the enthusiastic crowd: “I’ve had a lot of fun this week. Everything was amazing here — the organization, the staff. I think it’s one of the best events I’ve been to, and the crowd today was amazing, also.”
Entering the tournament as the number one seed following withdrawals from former champions Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik, Tien’s journey to the final was anything but straightforward. In the round-robin stage, he faced significant challenges, including a tough opening loss to Rafael Jodar despite leading with four match points. He also found himself on the brink of elimination against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer before rallying to secure his place in the semifinals.
Once in the knockout rounds, Tien hit his stride, dispatching compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy in straight sets to reach the final. This title represents a significant milestone in Tien’s burgeoning career as he continues to climb the ranks in men’s tennis.
With this victory, Tien not only aims to solidify his standing within the ATP but also looks forward to the forthcoming season with increased confidence and the experience of competing at the highest level against his peers.
