Daniil Medvedev Begins New Chapter with Coaching Shake-Up
Former world number one Daniil Medvedev is entering a fresh chapter in his tennis career, and the timing couldn’t be more critical. After a disappointing US Open campaign that ended with a first-round exit, Medvedev announced a split from his longtime coach Gilles Cervara. It was a partnership that lasted nearly a decade and brought him major milestones, including his 2021 US Open title. But now, Medvedev is moving forward with a new team, placing his trust in Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke as he heads into the closing stretch of the season.
The Russian star will make his debut with the new coaching setup at the Hangzhou Open in China. Coming in as the second seed, Medvedev faces an opening challenge against young qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy. The American, who stunned 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in the first round, will bring confidence into the match. For Medvedev, it’s a test not just of his tennis but of his ability to adapt quickly to new guidance at a moment when his ranking has slipped to No. 18 in the world.
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During his pre-tournament press conference, Medvedev explained how this change came about. He revealed that, for the first time in his career, he found himself without a coach after Flushing Meadows. A period of reflection followed, during which he reached out to various experts for advice. Johansson and Goetzke offered a vision that resonated with him, and that convinced Medvedev to embark on what he describes as a “trial run” through the remainder of 2025. As he put it, “I’m happy to try with them for the remainder of the season. I love the way they work. I love what they say, and it feels like an interesting new project in my career.”
The 29-year-old admitted the decision was not easy, but he has returned from a short break in Monte Carlo feeling energized. Medvedev took two weeks off after the US Open, using the downtime to reset mentally. When he stepped back onto the practice court, he felt encouraged. He said some of his recent training sessions were among the best of his year, perhaps even his career, and now the goal is to translate that into match play. “If I can bring this level onto the court,” Medvedev explained, “I’ll be able to win tournaments again or at least play the kind of tennis that matters most to me.”
For now, Medvedev is not promising miracles. Instead, he is approaching this phase with cautious optimism, testing the waters with his new coaches while rediscovering the joy of competition. It’s a transitional period, but one that could set the foundation for his resurgence in 2026.
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