ATP Tour
Rivalries of 2025: Medvedev vs. Tien
Relive one of the vital unpredictable Lexus ATP Head2Head collection of the season
November 25, 2025
Hector Retamal/AFP through Getty Pictures
Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien confronted off 3 times in 2025.
By Grant Thompson
To mark the top of one other thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which can replicate on probably the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and extra. This week, we’re taking a look at one of the best rivalries of the 12 months.
Daniil Medvedev in opposition to Learner Tien was the rivalry that no one noticed coming in 2025. Medvedev started the season contained in the Prime 5 whereas Tien was outdoors the Prime 100, hardly a setup for a recurring showdown. But their three Lexus ATP Head2Head conferences proved to be among the most charming of the 12 months.
As all-court gamers able to carving up opponents, their clashes grew to become a collection of compelling strategic equations. One other layer of intrigue lay within the battle between expertise and youth as a former No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings took on a rising teenage sensation, whereas even the seven-inch peak distinction between the 2 has been of notice on this budding rivalry.
All three of Medvedev and Tien’s Lexus ATP Head2Head conferences this 12 months went to a deciding set, with the American lefty holding a 2-1 benefit over Medvedev. Tien began the 12 months with a surprising five-set upset in opposition to Medvedev on the Australian Open and they’d not meet once more till the Asian hard-court swing, the place two conferences in eight days led to a break up.
Australian Open R64, Tien d. Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(7)
The scoreline of Medvedev and Tien’s Melbourne conflict, that includes three tie-breaks, resembles a Sudoku puzzle greater than a tennis match and the two:54 a.m end solely added to the drama.
Tien held a match level within the third set, which Medvedev erased with an ace, however in the end the match was destined for a Melbourne late-night basic as a substitute of a straight-sets routine win. Medvedev was a defending finalist and had reached the title match on two different events, however the former World No. 1 let slip a 7/6 lead within the deciding-set tie-break, placing an finish to his match. Tien captured 4 consecutive factors and raised in his arms in aid, with a giant smile painted throughout his face after clinching victory.
“I used to be positively hoping it would not go to a fifth-set breaker,” Tien admitted after the victory. “However I am simply comfortable to get a win. I do know I made it lots more durable than perhaps it might have been.”
Displaying artful shotmaking and brickwall consistency all through the four-hour, 48-minute thriller, Tien would ultimately turn out to be the second-youngest American man to achieve the Spherical of 16 on the season’s first main, alongside Pete Sampras, who reached the identical stage aged 18. In the meantime, Medvedev completed the most important season with a 1-4 report.
Tien overcomes Medvedev in a Melbourne thriller. Credit score: Getty Pictures
Beijing SFs, Tien d. Medvedev 5-7, 7-5, 4-0 retired
Early indicators recommended Medvedev was on target to avenge his Melbourne defeat on the China Open in Beijing. Main by a set and 4-1, and later serving for the match at 5-3, victory appeared inside attain. However Tien refused to fade, staying composed in lengthy rallies to attract errors from Medvedev and prolong the semi-final conflict on the ATP 500.
Medvedev went off courtroom earlier than the third set and returned together with his higher proper leg taped. He visibly struggled to maneuver from the primary level of the decider, seemingly coping with cramps. After finishing the fourth recreation, the 29-year-old limped to the web and shook arms with Tien, who superior to his first tour-level ultimate and have become the second-youngest finalist in Beijing historical past behind Rafael Nadal.
“I had that perception that I used to be nonetheless within the match though I used to be down a break,” Tien mentioned of his comeback. “I had the boldness that I might break him as a result of I used to be capable of break him a couple of instances within the first set. I hung round and it labored out.”
Shanghai R16, Medvedev d. Tien 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4
Simply eight days after Medvedev was pressured to retire in Beijing, he was once more standing throughout the web from Tien and the third time was the allure. In a drama-laced Rolex Shanghai Masters fourth-round conflict, Medvedev overcame bodily struggles late within the second set and summoned a gritty late surge to victory.
A high-quality opener set the tone for one of many season’s finest matches. Then, the drama intensified when Medvedev started cramping at 6-5 within the second set. He requested his teaching staff for pickle juice and spoke with the physio earlier than the tie-break, saying in desperation, “What do you suppose I can do?” Hobbling across the courtroom, Medvedev’s destiny regarded destined for a repeat of Beijing as Tien dominated the tie-break.
Medvedev wouldn’t go down with out a battle, nevertheless. Though annoyed together with his bodily state and regardless of incessantly pleading together with his staff for solutions, Medvedev surged to 3 consecutive video games from 3-4 within the decider to cap the two-hour, 53-minute encounter. Medvedev’s rollercoaster victory was fuelled extra by coronary heart than the rest and he signed the digital camera lens afterwards: ‘I don’t need to depart one of the best metropolis on the planet but!’
In his post-match interview, a relieved Medvedev mirrored: “For me to beat him… I assumed I used to be going to lose. I used to be cramping once more and I’m simply tremendous comfortable to handle to do it.
“I believe the hardest half was that we performed two instances [before], and in my view he’s an unbelievable participant, as a result of he doesn’t have an awesome serve and serve is so necessary in tennis. With out the serve, he’s 19 years outdated and 30-something on the planet and solely going up. For my part he’s such a great tennis participant. He feels the sport so properly.”
