Learner Tien’s Racquet, Strings
& More ~ Gear Guide

Learner Tien is a left-handed baseliner who relies on movement, timing, and consistency more than raw power. He’s comfortable extending rallies and absorbing pace, leaning on a steady two-handed backhand while shaping his forehand with spin and margin rather than forcing low-percentage offense.

That profile usually points toward a control-oriented setup, and Tien’s gear reflects that style of play. His racquet and string choices lean toward predictable response and spin production, supporting the kind of disciplined, high-percentage tennis he’s known for.

Understanding what he uses and how it supports his style provides helpful context if you value consistency and spin over sheer pace. Below, we’ll break down his full setup, separating officially endorsed gear from what he uses in matches. You’ll see what’s confirmed, how each piece fits his game, and whether it might make sense for yours.

Gear	What Tien Uses
Endorsed Racquet	Wilson Ultra 100 v5
Strings	Luxilon ALU Power
Grip / Overgrip	Wilson Leather / Wilson Pro
Shoes	adidas Defiant Speed 2
Bag	Wilson Super Tour 15

Racquet

Learner Tien’s racquet setup has drawn more attention as his profile has grown on tour. Like many pros, there’s often a difference between the frame a player endorses and the one they actually use on tour.

Below, we’ll separate the actual model he relies on from what he endorses and how the two differ.

Endorsed Racquet

Tien currently endorses the Wilson Ultra line, specifically the Ultra 100 v5 in its bright blue cosmetic. Compared to more control-oriented lines in Wilson’s catalog, the Ultra has traditionally offered a firmer, more lively feel, allowing players to generate more effortless power and depth.

The 100 v5 fits squarely in that camp. It features a 100 in² head size, an open 16×19 string pattern, and a stiffness rating of 67, combining to deliver easy depth and a lively response from the baseline. With a moderate swingweight of 322, the frame also offers plenty of speed through contact to help players generate heavy topspin.

Photos first surfaced of him with the Ultra cosmetic at the Paris Masters in October 2025. However, as with most endorsement relationships, the frame he appears to be using on court doesn’t necessarily reflect the actual frame that he uses in competition. Let’s dig in further.

Actual Racquet

Stepping back, Learner Tien was a long-time user of the Wilson Blade earlier in his development. In 2022, he won the USTA Boys 18 National Hardcourt Championship using what appeared to be the Wilson Blade v7 18×20.

Then, a year later, playing for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans, he moved on to the V8 Blade cosmetic, which he also used as his US Open debut against Frances Tiafoe. Not surprisingly, Tien then kicked off 2024 with the Wilson Blade v9 paint job.

As an up-and-coming talent, the cosmetic changes aren’t all that surprising. Wilson provides pros with custom-painted versions of their actual racquets to help drive sales of newer frames. However, his ongoing association with the Blade line hints at the actual model he was using.

From a close look at many photos of his frame, my guess is a Wilson Blade Pro 18×20, also known as the pro stock H22, which aligns with what many other players analyzing his gear believe he was using.

For reference, here are that frame’s specs:

Length: 27 inches
Head size: 98 sq inches
String pattern: 18×20
Beam: 21.5 mm
Strung Balance: 32.5 cm

However, in 2025 at the Paris Masters, things changed. Not only did Learner start using a racquet painted like the Wilson Ultra v5, but he was also now using a frame with a 16×19 string pattern, a distinct difference.

After digging through a ton of photos, I believe he’s now using the Wilson Pro Stock Ultra 98 16×19. On the surface, this appears to be a reasonably close visual match, considering the quality of available images.

For context, pro stock refers to racquet models available only to high-level pros, which are often customized. In some cases, these are based on older molds that brands no longer sell to the public, or, in the case of the Wilson Pro Stock Ultra 98 16×19, were never released to the public.

It’s also worth noting that when he first transitioned to this frame, I could see lead tape at 3, 9, and two smaller pieces left and right of 12 o’clock, which would increase stability and plow-through, helping him absorb heavier pace more comfortably. However, it looks like he’s since moved the lead tape at the tip under his bumper guard or removed it.

Strings

Earlier in Learner Tien’s career, he was a Solinco athlete, with the brand highlighting his use of Tour Bite Soft on their site and via social media. You’ll also notice his strings used to be stenciled with the Solinco logo.

For a younger up-and-coming athlete, using a soft variant of one of Solinco’s strings was a smart call, providing him with control and spin while protecting his arm as he continued to develop.

While the gauge was never publicly confirmed, it’s reasonable to assume he was using either 16L (1.25 mm) or 17 (1.20 mm). These gauges are still plenty durable while enhancing spin and feel. Moreover, the string doesn’t hold tension well, so even from a young age, he would have been restringing frequently to maintain optimal performance. With that in mind, a more durable or thicker gauge would have been unnecessary.

However, in 2023, all signs point away from his relationship with Solinco and fully to Wilson for his racquet and strings. Starting that year, he stopped using the Solinco logo on his strings, transitioning exclusively to Wilson. At that time, he switched to Luxilon ALU Power, which was apparent from photos of his racquet, as its glossy finish makes it pretty easy to pick out, especially since it’s a top pick among pros.

Although his exact tension hasn’t been published, a range around 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.6 kg) would be consistent with this type of frame and string combination. Of course, this is purely an educated guess based on the frame he’s using and Wilson’s typical recommended tension ranges.

Spec	Luxilon ALU Power
Gauge	16L / 1.25 mm
Length	40 ft / 12 m
Composition	Co-Poly
Color	Silver
Tension	~ 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.6 kg)

Grip

Regarding his grip, there are a few elements to consider: the size of his grip, the materials wrapped around the handle, and how he holds the racquet when hitting various shots. I’ll break down each of these below.

Size

Tien’s exact grip size hasn’t been publicly confirmed. At 5’11” (180 cm), he falls slightly below the average height of many ATP players, which typically correlates with either a 4 3/8-inch (size 3) or 4 1/2-inch (size 4) grip.

Based on his build and the extent to which his fingers wrap the handle in close-up photos, a size 3 seems more likely. Here’s how that stacks up against available grip sizes.

Size	Inches	Millimeters
00	3 3/8	98
0	4	102
1	4 1/8	105
2	4 1/4	108
3	4 3/8	111
4	4 1/2	114
5	4 5/8	118
6	4 3/4	121

Replacement & Overgrip

Based on close-up match photos, Learner Tien appears to use a leather replacement grip under a white overgrip. The bevel edges on his handle are clearly defined, which, although not confirmed, is typically a strong indicator of leather rather than a cushioned synthetic base grip.

Over the top, he appears to use a white Wilson Pro Overgrip. The finishing tape, color, and surface texture align with this model, which is a popular option on tour for its tack and relatively thin profile.

Forehand

On the forehand, Tien uses a semi-western grip, which is apparent based on the orientation of his hand. As a lefty, that means he places his index finger’s knuckle against the sixth bevel before wrapping his fingers.

Used by most players on the pro tour, the semi-western grip is highly versatile. It allows Tien to generate effective topspin while also driving through the ball to flatten it when necessary. Compared to more extreme grips, it also makes it easier to handle lower balls.

Backhand

Learner Tien uses a two-handed backhand, which he forms by placing his left hand near the base of the handle with a continental grip, followed by his right hand above it with an eastern grip. This template is also typical of most players on the pro tour, providing a solid, stable base for his consistent and reliable backhand.

Serve & Volley

On serve and at the net, Tien uses the continental grip, which is ubiquitous for these strokes at the highest levels of the game. Although his serve isn’t built on power, his continental grip offers versatility, enabling him to mix spins and placement effectively. On volleys, it provides a neutral racquet face for effectively blocking the ball back or carving out angles to win points outright.

Shoes

Learner Tien competes in adidas footwear, wearing the Defiant Speed 2, a lightweight, responsive model that prioritizes comfort, speed, and agility over maximum stability and durability.

Overall, the profile fits his style of play, supporting quick directional changes and sustained defensive play. Compared to adidas’s more stability-focused models like the Barricade, the Defiant Speed 2 offers a more minimal, agile feel, while still providing the lateral resilience necessary to protect his feet and ankles as he moves through the court.

Apparel

Learner Tien competes in adidas apparel and has consistently been seen wearing the brand’s current performance kits in tournament play. That includes adidas tops, shorts, socks, sweatbands, and hats that align with the season’s retail releases rather than custom, player-exclusive designs.

Bag

Based on recent photos, Learner Tien is using Wilson’s red Super Tour 15 racquet bag rather than an Ultra-branded bag. The Super Tour line is Wilson’s higher-capacity, tour-inspired option and one of the most popular among ATP and WTA Wilson athletes.

True to its name, the bag offers carrying capacity for up to 15 racquets, along with apparel and accessories. For a tour-level pro carrying several matched racquets, that added capacity is practical, giving him the space to fit everything he could need throughout tournament play.

Home > Players > Gear > Learner Tien