Daniil Medvedev has to vary a number of issues in his recreation if he needs to return to the forefront of the lads’s tour. After successful his first Grand Slam title on the 2021 US Open and turning into world No. 1, the Russian ace’s profession has taken a downward flip over the previous twelve months.
Regardless of Rafael Nadal’s retirement and Novak Djokovic’s physiological decline, the champion from Moscow didn’t benefit from the chance and have become virtually a second-tier participant. The spectacular rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has broken Daniil rather a lot, who has completely misplaced his certainties and his mechanisms have jammed.
It can’t be a coincidence that Medvedev didn’t win a single title in 2024, struggling a number of defeats in opposition to opponents inferior to him and displaying apparent indicators of nervousness that have been a lot much less frequent prior to now. Daniil remains to be world No. 5, reaching the ultimate on the Australian Open earlier this 12 months and has time to get again aggressive on the highest degree, however the feeling is that he wants a lift at this stage of his profession.
His collaboration with former French ace Gilles Simon had began very effectively, however the Russian’s degree dropped within the latter a part of the season and Medvedev didn’t shine even on his favourite floor (the indoor exhausting courtroom). The previous world No. 1 was instantly defeated on the Rolex Paris Masters and was eradicated already within the group stage on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
When he triumphed in New York three years in the past, nobody had any doubt that the Russian champion would win extra Grand Slam titles in the remainder of his profession. Nonetheless, the state of affairs has modified radically since then. Daniil had the prospect to win the 2022 Australian Open, however he squandered a two-set lead in opposition to Rafa Nadal.
The participant from Moscow additionally misplaced the 2023 US Open last to Nole Djokovic and the 2024 Australian Open last to Sinner, defeats that undermined his confidence.
As well as, Medvedev’s degree is far decrease on purple clay and grass, which is why his actual probabilities of successful one other Main title are solely in Melbourne and New York.
Safina on Daniil’s present standing
In a latest interview with ‘Championat’, former WTA star Dinara Safina mirrored on Daniil’s present standing: “I had just one commentary about Daniil in Turin – he was so drained. I believe he didn’t care concerning the event anymore,” “I had one want, to say: ‘Dan, take a relaxation, hold up your racket. Till you are feeling like coaching once more, don’t even decide it up.’
His bodily form was tremendously interfering together with his emotional state. So Daniil simply must relaxation. Two wins, and also you develop into the perfect model of your self once more, and Daniil performs effectively, he hasn’t misplaced something within the recreation.
I’m positive Medvedev nonetheless needs to win a second Grand Slam. Now, nonetheless, there are lots of people who need to – the celebs need to align.”
The 2021 US Open champion won’t play official tournaments earlier than the Australian Open, which is able to happen in Melbourne from January 12-26. The Russian ace must defend the ultimate reached in 2024, when he actually appeared one step away from his second Grand Slam title.
Medvedev won’t play earlier than AO
This pre-season will probably be essential for Medvedev, who must examine the sport of his opponents to grasp easy methods to put them in bother in 2025. Daniil must regain confidence as quickly as potential and successful a title early subsequent 12 months would even be massively vital for the remainder of his profession.
Earlier than the top of the season, the world quantity 5 confirmed that he’ll proceed to work with Gilles Cervara and Gilles Simon (who will comply with him for a number of weeks in 2025). The previous French participant gives him with recommendation particularly from a tactical perspective, having confronted virtually all of Daniil’s opponents.
In an interview throughout the ATP Finals in Turin, the previous world No. 1 expressed his perspective on the brand new teaching rule: “I do not know. I do not assume it may well make an enormous distinction. It might make some distinction, and I am okay with it. Like, , if some coach tells to my opponent, serve to his forehand extra now, no matter, it is a tennis recreation. It is okay. He may have thought of it himself. If it is his coach who tells him, I do not care.”
The Russian ace continued: “For me, it is not an issue. Yeah, and I haven’t got something like in opposition to it or for it. If it could not be there, I might be completely happy. It is there, I am completely happy. No matter.”
