‘Don’t show him what you’re doing’: How on-court pods almost helped Learner upset the No.3

Down a set against world No.3 Alexander Zverev, American sensation Learner Tien looked exhausted and unsure.

“Don’t show him what you’re doing,” Tien’s coach Michael Chang warned him, calling out from the sidelines.

Falling victim to Zverev’s trademark monster aces, Tien was giving away his position when receiving. The 20-year-old heeded his coach’s advice and switched up his style and proceed to win a nail-biting tie-breaker and clinch the second set 7-6 (7-5).

Learner Tien talks to his coaching staff during his quarter-final matchCredit: Getty Images

Tien ultimately lost the quarter-final, outclassed by an impressive Zverev who dominated with 24 aces and only one double fault – on a match point – but won 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).

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However, the interaction between Tien and his coaching staff highlighted how coaching pods on court can change or influence the way tennis players perform.

Coaches used to be confined to a player’s box in the stands. But Australian Open chief executive officer Craig Tiley changed the rules in 2025 and introduced the on-court coaching pods. 

The pods are positioned in two corners of each court and fit up to four performance staff per player, allowing coaches to speak with players during the match.

After triumphing over Tien on Tuesday afternoon, Zverev was asked about the presence of his brother – former professional tennis player Mischa Zverev – and his father, who are both part of his team.

Alexander Zverev serves big in his quarter-final.Credit: Penny Stephens

“Yeah I get sick of them, but they don’t get sick of me because I pay for everything,” the German joked.

When asked if she preferred encouragement or tactical advice from coaches on court, eliminated teen quarter-finalist Iva Jovic said it depended on the situation.

“I don’t have a lot of experience yet with the whole on-court coaching, but in general, I’ve never been a person who went too much to the coaches,” she said on Tuesday.

“I usually like to figure things out on my own. So I don’t do a crazy amount of little tactical things. More just encouragement, and then maybe if there’s something that’s obviously going wrong, you give more specific tactical advice.”

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka said she was lucky her team “knows me better than I know myself”, joking she expects them to read her mind.

Iva Jovic, congratulates Aryna Sabalenka following their quarter-final battle Credit: AP

“Sometimes I need some tactical advice. Sometimes I just need them to cool me down,” she said with a laugh. “Sometimes I just need the support. Sometimes I want them to be quiet.”

Australian Open organisers closed the roof of Rod Laver Arena shortly before the quarter-final started – a welcome reprieve for the sunscreen-clad, sweaty spectators, but even better news for Tien and Zverev who would have been playing in full sun as the temperature climbed over 40 degrees at Melbourne Park.

Zverev took the first set in under 40 minutes, notching monster aces of 214km/h and taking his time between serves, receiving a time violation at one point.

Tien tried to counter Zverev’s style by speeding things up. At one point the American served with 19 seconds left on the clock.

Learner Tien in action. Credit: Penny Stephens

The young star fought hard in the fourth set but failed to convert a crucial break point and missed the opportunity to force Zverev to a fifth set.

Zverev came to the net, hitting an impeccable drop shot to level scores and later won the tie-break with a string of aces.

He said Tien’s coach, the former world No.2 and Roland-Garros champion, had worked wonders on the 20-year-old’s game during the off-season.

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