Despite being knocked out of the Australian Open in the fourth round, Learner Tien says he will remember this tournament "for the rest of his career".

Tien announced himself on the grand slam stage in Melbourne, with his run to the fourth round including a stunning five-set win over three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

The 19-year-old became the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach this stage of the men's singles at Melbourne Park but fell just short of reaching the quarter-finals.

Tien was beaten 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 by Lorenzo Sonego, who made it to the last eight of a grand slam for the first time in his career, in just under two and a half hours.

The American, who valiantly defended four set points before Sonego took the first set, remained positive in defeat, explaining that he had exceeded all his expectations in his first appearance Down Under.

"I came here not really having any expectations," Tien said.

"Just, honestly, coming here to play my first Australian Open, not really having a specific goal of result that I really wanted to leave here with or anything like that.

"So, to have the run that I did is surreal, and honestly, I mean, probably a few weeks that I'll remember for the rest of my career.

"I think the past couple of weeks have just been great for me to know that at this level I can have success.

"I haven't really played too many tour events and matches in general, so coming here and having the run that I did was obviously great for my confidence, kind of going into my first year where I'm trying to play a full tour schedule."

After losing the first two sets despite showing some fight, Tien had already given himself a mountain to climb and leaves Melbourne having spent the most time on the court, surpassing Jack Draper, who retired from his fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.

Tien also lost the first two sets in a best-of-five match for the third time in his career (lost to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open in 2023 and Joao Fonesca at the Next Gen 2024).

Asked if he was overwhelmed by his first taste of the Australian Open, Tien added: "I think it's all new. I'm not super used to it.

"I don't really mind it. I enjoy the crowds, the big courts. It's all stuff that, I guess, you always dream of having and experiencing when you are young.

"So, I think to experience it now and to have all this kind of coming at me at once is a good problem to have. I'm embracing it pretty well, and I enjoy it."