Nominations for the ATP Breakthrough of the Year were announced on Thursday afternoon.
Jack Draper is the most notable name among the four nominees – he rose to world number four this year after winning Indian Wells and reaching the Madrid Open final.
Jakub Mensik, the Czech star ranked 19th in the world, produced a magnificent run to win the Miami Open in March – defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.
Joao Fonseca has also been nominated. The Brazilian prodigy won two ATP Tour events this year, in Buenos Aires and Basel.
And who could forget Valentin Vacherot? The man who became the lowest-ranked winner of a Masters 1000 title in history has also been nominated for the award.
Unfortunately for Learner Tien, he has missed out on being nominated, despite performing superbly on the ATP Tour this season.
Learner Tien is unfortunate to miss out on being nominated for the ATP Breakthrough of the Year award
Learner Tien began the year ranked 122 in the world. He is now ranked 28th.
This remarkable rise began at the Australian Open, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev on his way to the third round.
Since then, the American has gone from strength to strength, reaching the China Open final and winning his first ATP Tour event in Metz.
In reality, Tien may have been nominated for ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ in past years.
However, unfortunately for the American, all four of the nominees are worthy of their place, having achieved more than the American on the ATP Tour this year.
Despite this disappointment, Tien can be proud of the year he has had, and will undoubtedly continue his ascension in 2026.
Learner Tien’s ranking at the start of 2024
Learner Tien has orchestrated a remarkable rise on the ATP Tour over the past two years.
At the start of 2024, Tien was ranked 452 in the world.
He rose 330 places in 2024, ending the year ranked 122nd on the ATP Tour.
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After rising to world number 28 in 2025, Tien is now ranked higher than Stefanos Tsitsipas – the former world number three who has reached two Grand Slam finals.
