Daniil Medvedev is back, and he’s ready to reclaim his spot among the tennis elite! After a tumultuous season marked by setbacks, the Russian star kicked off his campaign at the ATP 500 in Beijing with a resounding victory over Cameron Norrie, winning 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour. This match marks a promising beginning for Medvedev under his new coaching duo of Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, following his split with longtime coach, Gilles Cervara.
The former world number one is not just aiming for wins; he’s on a mission to rediscover the form that took him to five Grand Slam finals. With this decisive victory, Medvedev has advanced to the round of 16, where he will face off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. In a post-match press conference, he expressed a mix of satisfaction and determination: “I’m happy with how I played. Cameron is a great player, an ex-top 10. I’m pleased with my level. I served quite well. There were moments I could have done better, but overall I’m satisfied and looking ahead.”
Medvedev’s journey this season has been anything but easy. After an early exit at the Hangzhou tournament, he has reflected on the challenges he has faced. “I’m very far from this goal,” he admits, referencing his aspirations to return to the top. “It’s a gradual process. Sometimes I can make big strides. Today, for instance, I think I played better than in my two matches in Hangzhou.” His focus is clear: to take it one step at a time.
He candidly shared his thoughts on the current state of his game, stating, “I don’t think about last year’s results because I was in a different position. I used to come off the US Open final. Last year, I lost in the quarters to Jannik. Now, I need to regain my game step by step. Only then can I face someone like Carlos or Jannik in the tournament.”
The partnership with his new coaches is still in its infancy, but Medvedev is optimistic. “It’s just the beginning. It’s hard to say with certainty. We will try until the end of the season. But Rohan can’t travel as much as Thomas. Thomas is more present day to day. So far, it’s been fantastic, and working with them has been a lot of fun.”
Despite the positive vibes, Medvedev acknowledges there’s much work to be done. “I still don’t have a clear direction. But I’m trying. I’m not that far from finding it. It will take some time and dedication, which perhaps I haven’t had enough of. I’ve always considered myself dedicated, but maybe I could have dedicated myself differently this year. Perhaps I needed to change direction.”
Looking ahead to his next opponent, Davidovich Fokina, Medvedev recognizes the challenge he poses. “I usually enjoy playing against him. I think my game suits his. Right now, he’s in better form. He’s gotten more wins recently. He plays really well. We actually had a serious exhibition match, and I won. He’s a very strong player. I know that to beat him, I have to give my best, and I will try to do that.”
Medvedev concluded with a revealing insight into his on-court demeanor, which starkly contrasts with his off-court personality. “Excuse me if I sometimes go a bit overboard, I act a little crazy on the court. Tennis can drive you mad. It drives me mad because you never know. I don’t have a precise answer for why this year has been negative. It could be my second child. It could be my relationship with Gilles, I don’t know. It could be that I’m older and thinking more than when I was younger. It could just be bad luck or that I haven’t felt well physically. I was definitely worried. I’m still worried. I’m trying to find a way to show everyone that I can do great things again.”
With this newfound resolve and the support of his coaching team, the stage is set for Medvedev to make a formidable comeback. The tennis world will be watching closely as he attempts to navigate these challenges and reclaim his place at the top.
