Novak Djokovic has defied the laws of nature this year, producing some of the best tennis of his career at 38 years old.
Djokovic has continued to perform at the highest level, as demonstrated by his remarkable victory over Jannik Sinner on his way to the Australian Open final.
With 20 years’ experience on the Tour, Djokovic has witnessed many talented youngsters come and go; and now there is a new generation of starlets looking to challenge for the biggest prizes in the sport.
These young stars include teenagers Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, both of whom have won ATP Tour events in the past year.
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Ahead of his first match in Indian Wells, Djokovic discussed the progress of Tien, noting the positive impact coach Michael Chang could have on the American.
Novak Djokovic assesses Learner Tien’s tennis
Learner Tien has emerged as one of the brightest young stars on the ATP Tour.
The American, 19, first made a name for himself at the 2025 Australian Open, stunning former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
Since then, the youngster has gone on to reach the China Open final, win the Metz Open and reach the 2026 Australian Open quarter-finals.
Novak Djokovic, who beat Tien in straight sets at the 2025 US Open, believes the American has ‘all of the preconditions or precursors of becoming a really good tennis player.’
“I think he’s a very talented player,” Djokovic said of Tien. “I played him in US Open last year.
“Obviously I think it was the first time maybe night session for him, so maybe he wasn’t playing as good as he can play or that he has played in some matches that he has won against Medvedev, for example, last couple of years in Australia that we have seen, or Miami, for that matter, last year.
“He has had some great performances, and he’s still very young. You know, I think him, Fonseca, these guys, Mensik, that’s the generation.
“I don’t know if they’re the same age or maybe someone is year younger, year older, but I think Fonseca got a lot of spotlight, which is nice for him, but I think the other guys deserve that too because of the results and everything that have been showing, you know, in the last couple of years, particularly in the last 12 months.
“So Tien has Michael Chang in his corner, who is obviously one of the all-time greats and Grand Slam winner and someone that has been on top of the game and understands.
“Also, I think he’s the youngest-ever Grand Slam winner on the men’s side, 16 or 17 when he won Roland Garros, so he understands the pressures that come into play when you’re so young and you reach that height and have that platform, that you still haven’t maybe matured in your game or emotions or everything that goes around that.
“So I’m sure that he gives him great counsel and guidance. So it seems like he’s putting a good team around himself, and he’s obviously from America and has the great support of the USTA and the whole thing that goes with it.
“He has all of the preconditions or precursors of becoming a really good tennis player. So it’s really up to him now, and time will tell.”
Chang, who has worked with Tien since August last year, is the youngest male Grand Slam singles champion in tennis history.
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Chang, a winner of 34 singles titles, won the 1989 French Open Men’s Singles title at 17 years and 109 days.
Michael Chang’s French Open title
As mentioned, in 1989, Michael Chang became the youngest male winner of a Grand Slam singles title by capturing the French Open title.
The 17-year-old, seeded 15th in the event, defeated Eduardo Masso and a young Pete Sampras, before knocking out Emma Raducanu’s old coach, Francisco Roig.
From there, Chang battled past Ivan Lendl in a five-set marathon, before knocking out unseeded Andrei Cheskonov in the semi-finals.
In the championships showpiece, Chang faced Stefan Edberg – the third seed and eventual six-time Grand Slam champion.
Chang made history, beating Edberg 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Six years later, Chang reached a second and final French Open final. On that occasion, he lost to Austrian player Thomas Muster.
