Daniil Medvedev confirmed the world that he was ‘nonetheless a very good tennis participant’ as he shocked Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells.
Daniil Medvedev spoke to a number of the ‘greatest coaches’ after splitting from Gilles Cervara final 12 months (Picture: Sky Sports activities)
Final 12 months, former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev discovered himself in a troublesome spot. He received only one match throughout the 4 Grand Slam tournaments and dropped exterior of the world’s high 15. One in every of his lowest lows got here on the US Open, the place he misplaced to Benjamin Bonzi within the first spherical after a mid-match outburst that noticed him fined greater than £30k ($42.5k). However it was one thing of a turning level for Medvedev, who quickly ended his decade-long teaching partnership with Gilles Cervara and shaped a brand new workforce, hiring Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke.
Since then, Medvedev has lifted three extra trophies – Almaty late final 12 months, and Brisbane and Dubai this season. He’s now on the hunt for an additional one in Indian Wells, the place he prompted a large upset by beating world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz within the semi-finals. Medvedev ended Alcaraz’s unbeaten 16-match run in 2026, and later mirrored on the huge change he’d seen in his recreation over the previous few months, opening up on some revealing conversations with the “greatest coaches within the recreation”.
Throughout a courtside Sky Sports activities interview, retired British star Tim Henman requested Medvedev precisely what had modified. “To begin with, I’m simply glad that it modified. I’ll be trustworthy, after the earlier query, I don’t know precisely, however even when it was not working, I used to be making an attempt. I used to be by no means within the mindset, ‘Oh okay, I achieved lots in my profession, I would take it straightforward’,” the No. 11 seed replied.
“As you may see in US Open and different tournaments, I used to be shedding myself as a result of I couldn’t perceive what was taking place, it was irritating me. So I’m glad I managed to seek out again my rhythm, present the world that I’m nonetheless a very good tennis participant and generally is a good tennis participant! And I hope to proceed enhancing.”
Henman was additionally eager to listen to concerning the affect of Johansson and Goetzke, including: “And do you assume that’s the affect of your new workforce? They is perhaps saying the identical factor however barely in another way?” The Brit was bang on the cash, as Medvedev revealed that some high coaches hinted that his partnership with Cervara shouldn’t have lasted so lengthy.
The Russian replied: “100 per cent. It’s additionally, I did speak to many coaches after I completed with Gilles, and a number of the greatest coaches we’ve got within the recreation proper now stated that, of their opinion, the player-coach relationship ought to type of cease after 4, 5 years, as a result of after, it stagnates a bit. That’s what I heard. I used to be like, ‘Okay, that’s an fascinating opinion’. And as you say, they don’t say any magic issues, nevertheless it’s a special vitality, completely different vibe within the workforce, and I’m taking part in good once more.”
Daniil Medvedev ended Carlos Alcaraz’s 16-match successful streak (Picture: Getty)
Medvedev is now on a nine-match successful streak following his takedown of Alcaraz. The world No. 11 received the title in Dubai on the finish of February, however was given a walkover within the ultimate when Tallon Griekspoor pulled out injured. He’s now searching his second straight title. However issues received’t get any simpler, because the 30-year-old faces world No. 2 Jannik Sinner within the ultimate.
There will probably be a brand new champion in Indian Wells, it doesn’t matter what occurs. That is Sinner’s first time within the ultimate right here, whereas Medvedev completed runner-up to Alcaraz in 2023 and 2024. “Everytime you’re taking part in a match the place each [Alcaraz and SInner] are taking part in, there’s a large probability that if you wish to win the match, it is advisable beat each and that’s okay, that’s how tennis is true now,” Medvedev stated of the problem forward.
“Blissful to play towards Jannik, if I handle to keep up the extent I had all through the entire match and perhaps even increase it, I’ll have my probabilities, in order that’s what I’ll attempt to do.”
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