Yevgeny Kafelnikov suggests Daniil Medvedev is in some kind of a lost position and also warns the 29-year-old that "radical changes" won't bring the effect he wants.
In 2024, Medvedev's game regressed and he lost a step with the world's best players. However, the 2021 US Open champion remained optimistic that he would be able to make key changes in the offseason and return to his past form in 2025. But it has only been worse for the former world No. 1 in 2025, who is just 26-18 and currently ranked at No. 18 in the world.
After losing in the US Open first round - a loss which put Medvedev's Grand Slam record in 2025 to a shockingly bad 1-4 - the 29-year-old decided to ditch his coach of eight years, Gilles Cervara. The Russian also said goodbye to fitness coach Eric Hernandez, who was a part of his team for 11 years.
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Kafelnikov: Medvedev doesn't want to anyone in this situation...
Understand, the problem is this: athletes of that status dont want to listen to anyone, they dont take anyone seriously. Whoever you give to Medvedev now, he wont see that person as a coach, as a mentor, and follow everything they say flawlessly. Thats it," former two-time Grand Slam champion Kafelnikov said, via Russian sports publication Championat.
"Medvedev already has a huge number of titles. I dont know what he wants to achieve, what motivation he still has left. To win a Grand Slam tournament? To return to No. 1 in the rankings? I dont know. Unfortunately, everything isnt as bright as many would like to think. Next year hell already be 30 years old thats the age when any radical changes wont bring much benefit."
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Cervara and Hernandez were key members of Medvedev's team for years. The 20-time ATP champion hasn't yet announced their replacements.
But judging by Kafelnikov's comments, the Russian tennis legend isn't too convinced that Medvedev will find a way out of his slump.
