After finishing second at the NextGen ATP Finals in 2024, Student Tien went one step further in 2025.
Tien beat Alexander Blockx 4-3(4), 4-2, 4-1 in Sunday’s final, winning after just 59 minutes of play. Blockx was undefeated this week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but the 20-year-old Belgian was no match for the most experienced participant in this year’s field. Tien never went down, won 85 percent of his first points, and won 70 percent of his second returns.
“I knew it was going to be a tough game,” said Tien. “I don’t think he missed the first play in the first set and a half. I think he was playing well, so I’m very happy that I won.”
“I had a lot of fun this week,” Blockx commented. “Everything was amazing here – the organization, the staff…. I think it’s one of the best events I’ve ever been to, and the crowd today was amazing, too.”
While Blocxk dominated the group stage, Tien’s run through the round robin competition was far from ordinary. The 28th-ranked American lost his opening tournament by four points against Rafael Jodar and was on the verge of a third-round exit against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
Once he secured a spot in the semis, Tien went to the races. He also won his semi-final against compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy in straight sets.
Tien lost to Joao Fonseca in last year’s final. The lefty was the No. 1 seed. 1 on his return trip to Jeddah due to the withdrawal of Fonseca and Jakub Mensik.
