The Australian Open is going into the second week and a couple of unexpected names are making waves. Alex Michelsen, the 20-year-old American superstar came into the event with nothing to lose. However, wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov mean he has made his way into the 4th round of the event. But, he is not alone. His best friend on the circuit, Learner Tien has also made significant progress with wins over Daniil Medvedev, and Corentin Moutet. Opening up on his bond with Tien, Michelsen revealed how much hard work they put in together ahead of the new season.

During his post-match press conference at the Australian Open, Alex Michelsen was asked about his connection with Tien, who is also competing in Melbourne. He spoke about how closely they’ve been in touch during the tournament. “Yeah, a lot of both,” Michelsen said, refering to their frequent conversations and texts. “We did pretty much every single day of the offseason together, so really good to see that the hard work is paying off. We put in a lot of hard yards this offseason.”

Michelsen is ecstatic about Tien’s success. “I know he’s on court right now, I don’t know what the score is, but I stayed up pretty late watching his match against Medvedev the other night. He’s playing unbelievable. Maybe I get like, you know, 1% credit for that because I was hitting with him every day. He’s definitely my best friend on tour,” the American said with a chuckle.

Their friendship dates back over a decade. When asked how they first met, Michelsen recalled their childhood. “We must have first met when we were like nine or 10 because we were playing the same tournaments in SoCal,” Michelsen shared. “He was always better than everyone else. I remember my whole friend group being like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Learner.’ He was always way better, playing up in higher age groups and doing just fine.” These early impressions set the tone for a friendship that would grow deeper with time.

Their bond strengthened when they began training together in 2021. Reflecting on their shared journey, Michelsen said, “Probably about four years we’ve been pretty good friends.” Despite the pressures of professional tennis, the two have remained close, supporting and pushing each other to improve. Michelsen’s respect for Tien’s work ethic and talent is evident, as is his joy in seeing his friend excel. While they haven’t faced each other on the professional circuit yet, these two stars faced against each other at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah. In what was an epic 5-set battle, Learner Tien came out on top with a 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-1

Undoubtedly, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien share much more than just friendship. Throughout their years trying to become professionals, they both trained under one coach.

Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien’s Australian Open success owes credits to their coach

While Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien have captured headlines with their incredible runs at the 2025 Australian Open, their coach Eric Diaz has also emerged as a key figure in their story. The son of legendary University of Georgia men’s tennis coach Manny Diaz, Eric has been instrumental in shaping the careers of both the rising stars Michelsen and Tien, guiding them with discipline and belief.

Diaz has been Michelsen’s coach since the summer of 2023 and has played a pivotal role in his transformation on and off the court. Reflecting on Michelsen’s early struggles with frustration and attitude, Eric didn’t hold back. “There were a few hats thrown and maybe a ball that might have wandered out of the facility that might have been his fault,” he said, recalling Michelsen’s behavior during the 2023 US Open.

He further added, “I told him, ‘If you’re going to act like a kid, then I’m going to leave.’” Diaz’s tough-love approach paid off as Michelsen matured, letting his tennis speak for itself. “You are going to be on stages where you will have a lot of eyes on you,” Diaz advised, and now Michelsen carries himself with professionalism.

Diaz’s impact extends to Learner Tien, whom he first met when the latter was just 14. Impressed by Tien’s calm demeanor and immense potential, Diaz nurtured the youngster into a formidable competitor.

“Everybody anticipated some big things for him, but he was just a quiet kid,” Diaz said. Over time, the coach recognized Tien’s aura and ability to find unique ways to win. “He just finds different ways,” Diaz noted, attributing Tien’s success to his composed nature on the court.

With Diaz’s mentorship, both players have thrived, showcasing their skills on the world stage. The ongoing Australian Open highlights not just their hard work but also the unwavering support and belief of a coach who has become a cornerstone of their success.