Michael Chang: Putting together the puzzle of Student Tien skills | ATP Tour

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Michael Chang: Putting together the puzzle of Tien’s power

The former World No. 2 discusses his relationship with the rise of Lefty Tien

March 08, 2026

Michael Chang understands what it means to break out early.

The American, who became the youngest male winner at the age of 17 in 1989 at Roland Garros, now sees a parallel to that early promise in one of the sport’s rising stars: Student Tien. Since the pair began working together in July last year, Tien has claimed his first ATP Tour title in Metz and lifted the trophy at the Next Gen ATP Finals, underscoring his status as one of the game’s most exciting young players.

“I think he’s a very special person,” Chang told ATPTour.com in Indian Wells, referring to the 20-year-old Tien. “He thinks a lot more than most players off the field. He’s a fighter that people don’t see until they get into a fight with him. He’s not the type of player to hit a big shot and shout ‘Come on!’ He’s not that type of person, but he fights and doesn’t give up, which I appreciate.”

The two crossed paths early last season when they met briefly in Hong Kong. At that time, Chang knew little about the young leftists who practiced in the nearby court. That quickly changed a few weeks later when Tien was the highlight of the Australian Open, stunning Daniil Medvedev in a five-setter in the fourth round.

For Chang, coaching has always been based on curiosity and problem solving. The same analytical mindset that defined his playing career has now shaped the way he works with players, whether they’re rising stars on the ATP Tour or members of his family picking up a racquet.

“I’m a very thoughtful person on the tennis court. I enjoy trying to find ways to win matches, and find ways to improve,” said Chang, who reached the top No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “From a coaching point of view, the combination of those things is very exciting. Whether I’m working with a Student or my children … It’s nice to be able to help people improve and see a smile on their face. For me, it’s very satisfying.”

Chang’s reputation as one of the most respected coaches in the game was established before his partnership with Tien. In the offseason of 2013, he started working with Kei Nishikori, helping the Japanese star open the next stage of his career. Within a year, Nishikori broke into the Top 10 and produced one of the most memorable runs of his career to reach the 2014 US Open final.

“Kei was already a top player, but he had a hard time breaking into the Top 10,” said Chang. “It was great working with him and seeing him do that in 2014. I watched some great matches with Kei… His run at the US Open in 2014 was very special.

“It was also great to see him win in Tokyo for the first time in front of his home crowd. There are many good memories, but most importantly, to see him develop as a player and mature as a person.”

The game has changed in the years since Chang started working with Nishikori. Another big difference today is the introduction of training during games. This is a change that changed the dynamic between coach and player, something that Chang had to get used to as he worked with Tien.

“Training back then was very different from training now,” Chang explained. “We can train now during games, so that changes a lot. There were a few opportunities to do that with Kei, but they were few and far between. My way of working with Kei was to understand his game and what he was like as a person. Trying to find the best way to communicate and work on a lot of those weaknesses, and make his strengths even stronger.

“For me, it’s always been a fun job. He’s always analyzing, always analyzing, looking at why he wins and loses in certain games. A lot of solving puzzles and putting in the hard work of finding answers.”

Student Tien, Michael Chang” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/03/06/12/55/tien-chang-australian-open-2026-coach.jpg”>_{^{Student Tien listens to coach Michael Chang at the 2026 Australian Open. Photo: Paul Crock/Getty Images}}

Coaching was never something that Chang had planned well as his playing career began to wind down. But as opportunities arose, he found himself drawn back into the game in a different role, helping the next generation face the challenges of life on Tour.

“I wasn’t playing on Tour anymore, but tennis was always going to be a big part of my life,” Chang said when asked about his training path. “It wasn’t what I really wanted, but opportunities just opened up and I was able to work with high-level players. Kei is one of them and now he’s a student.”

While their careers began decades apart, Chang and Tien share certain similarities in their rise to court and in their views that have helped their relationship grow rapidly.

“We share the same faith, so that brings a unique dynamic to our coaching relationship,” Chang added. “Knowing that he goes out and plays for the Lord to the best of his ability… Every time he goes to a competition, he is happy to play. I have not met a church that likes to undress, he is always hungry.

“It’s important if you have that kind of passion, because I don’t know if everyone has that. His eagerness to compete with the best players in the world will set him up for more success.”

Tien’s rise has already included significant events. In his breakthrough season of 2025, he achieved five Lexus ATP Head2Head victories against top 10 opponents and broke the world Top 30 for the first time. With Chang now in his corner, the hope is that those early successes are just the beginning.

“He’s a good kid. He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Chang said of Tien. “He’s extremely talented and very smart. It’s been great working with him and seeing him develop. It’s been great to see him have great success and hopefully we can continue to work on that.”