Learner Tien's epic five-set victory at the Australian Open over Daniil Medvedev has been followed by one of the most embarrassing interviews in Grand Slam history.
Tien, a 19-year-old American qualifier, outlasted the world No. 5 in a stunning Australian Open upset, sending the three-time finalist out of the tournament in a grueling marathon in the early hours.
With the clock ticking toward 3 a.m. Friday, the California teenager looked down and out after the fifth seed made one of his trademark comebacks.
However, Tien found notable physical and mental reserves to achieve a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (8-10), 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory in 4 hours and 49 minutes. Margaret Court Stadium.
The extraordinary contest was interrupted at 2:30 am by a six-minute rain interruption at the most critical moment, with Tien taking five points, 15 points in the decisive match.
Tien has now become a fan favorite due to his incredible victory and the incredibly awkward interview he had with former Australian doubles champion turned television commentator John Fitzgerald.
Australian tennis legend John Fitzgerald (left) conducted an incredibly embarrassing post-match interview with Learner Tien in the early hours of Friday morning.
Tien was visibly confused by Fitzgerald's line of questioning after his victory.
“Nineteen-year-olds aren't meant to be this good,” he said.
“I don't know what to say to that,” Tien said as the crowd laughed at his response.
Fitzgerald continued to dig himself into a hole as he totally confused the teen with a baffling statement.
“I lived in Newport Beach, so by the way, I know where you live,” he said.
It left the exhausted Tier looking around the court for some way out of the interaction.
Instead of asking his first question, Fitzgerald continued by making another statement.
'My goodness, that is an exceptional effort. “You know, it's the first time a five-set match has gone to a super tiebreaker this year,” he said.
Medvedev congratulates Tien at the net after five-set fest at Margaret Court Arena
Tien wowed the Australian Open crowd and got the interview back on track after Fitzgerald's awkward questions and statements.
Finally, came his first question: 'You don't know what to say to that either, do you?'
“I definitely hoped it wouldn't go to the break of the fifth set,” Tien responded.
“But you know, either way, I'm really happy to get a win.”
“I know I made it a lot harder than it could have been, but you know, whatever.”
Tien then took control of the interview with a funny anecdote about why he defeated Medvedev off court 6-1 in the fourth set.
“Losing the third set in a tiebreaker was tough, I had match point and it was a little disappointing to see a fourth set,” Tien said, getting the interview back on track.
“But honestly, in the fourth set I had to pee so badly that I tried to finish it pretty quickly,” he added, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“I also wanted to start on the fifth serve, so I threw that game away and everything worked out.”
Tien enjoys a pepperoni pizza as a reward for his epic Australian Open victory
But even then, Fitzgerald interrupted him during his speech.
“Terrible questions,” commented one Australian Open fan.
'Wow, John Fitzgerald is doing a disappointing job in this post-match interview with Learner Tien. Totally uninspired after a very inspiring match,” posted another.
'Whatever the Aus Open and Channel 9 pay Jim Courier… pay him double next year. “These other commenters are shocking,” another added.
Sensing the train wreck coming down, the Australian tennis star simply handed Tien the microphone to say what he wanted.
'I have no idea what time it is, but I'm sure it's very late. Thank you all for staying here,” Tien told the crowd that stayed to watch the epic five-set match.
“I wasn't trying to think of the game as more important than any other game I've played. '