There are huge expectations on Daniil Medvedev for next season.
The Russian ace needs to return to the top of the men's tour after a couple of seasons really below expectations, in which he strayed too far from the level that belongs to a champion of his caliber. The former world No. 1 struggled to digest the shocking loss to Jannik Sinner in the final of the 2024 Australian Open, in which he was ahead by two sets, before suffering the vehement reaction of the Italian ace.
From that moment on, the champion from Moscow has shown his best tennis only in flashes, expressing all his frustration on the court and becoming the author of some unflattering behavior. After his untimely elimination at the 2025 US Open, he had that he needed a change and ended his long collaboration with Gilles Cervara by signing a new team.
Petrova opens up on Medvedev
Although he is still a long way from his best level, the winner of the 2021 US Open has shown some positive signs in the latter part of this year and is back lifting a trophy after about two and a half years (he won the title in Almaty).
ADVERTISEMENT
Daniil also hoped to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, but his chances of succeeding were very low and the 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 major change to shake himself up, even if it had been right to change even earlier. It had been a long time since his tennis had been working and he had no other choice. He put in good performances in the last few months of the season and seemed more motivated, also adding new solutions to his game."
The Australian Open will already be an important test for the former world No.1, who has achieved truly unsuccessful results in Grand Slam tournaments this year.
