The Russian star must return to the top of the men’s tour after a few seasons that really fell short of expectations, in which he strayed too far from the level that befits a champion of his caliber. The former world number 1 struggled to come to terms with the shock loss to Jannik Sinner in the 2024 Australian Open final when he held a two-set lead before receiving a strong reaction from the Italian ace.
From then on, the champion from Moscow showed his best tennis only in flashes, expressing all his frustration on the court and becoming the author of unflattering behavior. After his untimely elimination at the 2025 US Open, he realized he needed a change and ended his long association with Gilles Cervara by signing a new team.
Petrova opens up for Medvedev
Although still far from his best level, the 2021 US Open winner has shown some positive signs in the latter part of this year and lifted another trophy after about two and a half years (he won the title in Almaty).
Daniil also hoped to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, but his chances of success were very low and elimination at the Paris Masters 1000 condemned him to end his 2025 early.
Interviewed by the Russian magazine ‘Championat’, former WTA star Nadia Petrova analyzed Medvedev’s chances in 2026: “He had to make a big change to wake himself up, even if it would have been right to change even earlier. It had been a long time since his tennis worked and he had no other choice. He performed well in the last few months of the season and seemed more motivated, and also added new solutions to his game.”
The Australian Open will already be an important test for the former world number 1, who has had truly unsuccessful results in Grand Slam tournaments this year.
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