Much has changed for Daniil Medvedev since his shock first-round exit at the US Open, a defeat that stretched his career-long losing streak at the majors to four matches. While the former world No. 1 won just one Grand Slam match last season, at the Australian Open, he enters Melbourne this year with a renewed sense of self-belief.
After his early exit at the US Open, the site of his maiden major triumph in 2021, Medvedev made the difficult decision to part with longtime coach Gilles Cervara. He had dropped from world No. 5 at the start of the season to No. 18 after New York, reaching just one final (Halle) to that point in the year.
"It was, of course, a big decision in my life with Gilles," Medvedev said of his coach of 11 years, eight of them full-time on tour. "In the end, it was the moment to do it, the turning point."
The 29-year-old took two weeks away from tennis after the US Open, then returned to the ATP Tour with new coaches Thomas Johansson (the former world No. 4) and Rohan Goetzke. The famously cerebral star called it "an interesting new project" at the time, committing only to a trial period with his new team for the rest of the season.
A strong close to 2025 made it an easy decision to continue with the new setup; Medvedev ended his two-year title drought in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and reached two additional semifinals to round out the year on a positive note.
"I have loved working with Thomas and Rohan," Medvedev said in Melbourne. "I do think they love working with me, so we decided to continue. Hopefully it can be a long [partnership] and a great one."
After an extended offseason—a silver lining to Medvedev missing out on the ATP Finals for the first time since 2019—the good vibes continued into 2026, as Medvedev won the Brisbane title with the loss of just one set to bring a perfect 5-0 season record into the Aussie Open.
"It's not at all to say that it's all because of this," Medvedev said of his coaching change, "but last year was not easy, was a little bit turbulent, and changing the team helped. So I'm happy with it."
The new team's next challenge is to repeat those results at the Grand Slam level. A three-time Australian Open finalist (2021, '22, '24), Medvedev will open his campaign Monday against Jesper de Jong.
"I will try my best. I for sure have been playing very good, end of the season," Medvedev said following his Brisbane title triumph, noting his six quarterfinal showings in seven tournaments. "So I'm happy with the way I was playing, and I know that when I'm playing good, there are not that many players that can beat me easily or at all.
"That's the most important, so if I manage to play good [at the Australian Open], I'm happy with my chances. In the end, you never know. Sometimes a player can make a match of the year against you, or you can get Carlos or Jannik or Sascha or someone else, and they can beat you."
Drawn in Alexander Zverev's quarter, Medvedev could play Sascha in the last eight and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semis. If he can advance to his first major final since the 2024 Aussie Open, two-time defending champ Jannik Sinner could await there.
One man who thinks Medvedev could make a deep run is Andy Roddick, who shares the titles of former US Open champion and world No. 1 with the 11th seed.
"Meddy is back, he is back!" the American said on his podcast, Served with Andy Roddick. "You see the difference. Him going into Australia last year, didn't play any lead-up events, was mentally finished, had a baby in the off-season, showed up in Australia because the date presents itself and you have to go.
"Versus going there early [this year] off of what for most people is a career year, finishing 13th... getting an offseason, going early, getting some form.
"He's going to be back in the conversation in Australia."
