Former World No.1 reflects on Daniil Medvedev's attitude

11/28/2024 05:00 PM

Daniil Medvedev has to change several things in his game if he wants to return to the forefront of the men's tour. After winning his first Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open and becoming world No. 1, the Russian ace's career has taken a downward turn over the past twelve months.

Despite Rafael Nadal's retirement and Novak Djokovic's physiological decline, the champion from Moscow did not take advantage of the opportunity and became almost a second-tier player. The impressive rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has damaged Daniil a lot, who has totally lost his certainties and his mechanisms have jammed.

It cannot be a coincidence that Medvedev did not win a single title in 2024, suffering several defeats against opponents inferior to him and showing obvious signs of nervousness that were much less frequent in the past. Daniil is still world No. 5, reaching the final at the Australian Open earlier this year and has time to get back competitive at the highest level, but the feeling is that he needs a boost at this stage of his career.

His collaboration with former French ace Gilles Simon had started very well, but the Russian's level dropped in the latter part of the season and Medvedev did not shine even on his favorite surface (the indoor hard court). The former world No. 1 was immediately defeated at the Rolex Paris Masters and was eliminated already in the group stage at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

When he triumphed in New York three years ago, no one had any doubt that the Russian champion would win more Grand Slam titles in the rest of his career. However, the situation has changed radically since then. Daniil had the chance to win the 2022 Australian Open, but he squandered a two-set lead against Rafa Nadal.

The player from Moscow also lost the 2023 US Open final to Nole Djokovic and the 2024 Australian Open final to Sinner, defeats that undermined his confidence.

In addition, Medvedev's level is much lower on red clay and grass, which is why his real chances of winning another Major title are only in Melbourne and New York.

In a recent interview with ‘Championat’, former WTA star Dinara Safina reflected on Daniil’s current status: “I had only one observation about Daniil in Turin – he was so tired. I think he didn’t care about the tournament anymore,” “I had one desire, to say: ‘Dan, take a rest, hang up your racket. Until you feel like training again, don’t even pick it up.’

His physical shape was greatly interfering with his emotional state. So Daniil just needs to rest. Two wins, and you become the best version of yourself again, and Daniil plays well, he hasn’t lost anything in the game.

I’m sure Medvedev still wants to win a second Grand Slam. Now, however, there are a lot of people who want to – the stars have to align.”

The 2021 US Open champion will not play official tournaments before the Australian Open, which will take place in Melbourne from January 12-26. The Russian ace will have to defend the final reached in 2024, when he really seemed one step away from his second Grand Slam title.

This pre-season will be crucial for Medvedev, who will have to study the game of his opponents to understand how to put them in trouble in 2025. Daniil needs to regain confidence as soon as possible and winning a title early next year would also be hugely important for the rest of his career.

Before the end of the season, the world number 5 confirmed that he will continue to work with Gilles Cervara and Gilles Simon (who will follow him for several weeks in 2025). The former French player provides him with advice especially from a tactical point of view, having faced almost all of Daniil's opponents.

In an interview during the ATP Finals in Turin, the former world No. 1 expressed his point of view on the new coaching rule: "I don't know. I don't think it can make a huge difference. It can make some difference, and I'm okay with it. Like, you know, if some coach tells to my opponent, serve to his forehand more now, whatever, it's a tennis game. It's okay. He could have thought about it himself. If it's his coach who tells him, I don't care.”

The Russian ace continued: "For me, it's not a problem. Yeah, and I don't have anything like against it or for it. If it would not be there, I would be happy. It's there, I'm happy. Whatever.”