Daniil Medvedev is determined to leave behind his recent struggles that caused him to tumble out of the world’s top ten rankings, and he now feels more prepared than ever to seize his first title at the Australian Open.
The Russian tennis star, often a topic of debate among fans, recently added the Brisbane International trophy to his achievements by defeating Brandon Nakashima with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). Notably, he only dropped one set throughout the entire tournament.
Having reached the finals of the first grand slam of the year three times previously, Medvedev faced a disappointing 2025 season, plummeting to 18th place before bouncing back to 13th. This resurgence began after a shocking early exit in Melbourne, where he was eliminated in the second round.
Despite these setbacks, Medvedev's notorious on-court frustrations led to fines totaling $122,000 due to incidents like smashing his racket against the net and damaging camera equipment. His performance at subsequent majors was equally rough, as he suffered first-round losses at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open—where he had originally claimed his only grand slam title—further incurring penalties for unsportsmanlike behavior and racket abuse.
However, recent performances suggest that the formidable Medvedev is re-emerging. At Pat Rafter Arena, he exhibited his trademark resilience, expertly wearing down Nakashima with his exceptional movement and tactical play, both from the baseline and at the net.
While younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have emerged as clear frontrunners, having each claimed four grand slam titles since the beginning of 2024, Medvedev believes he is on the brink of rediscovering the necessary form to challenge them.
His diverse skill set, which includes powerful serves exceeding speeds of 200 km/h, might just provide him with the edge needed to disrupt the dominance of these two players.
"I want to say I think so, but then you know the next grand slam is in one week, and you never know—you could lose in the first round, you could win it, so I’ll try my best," Medvedev stated, reflecting on his journey.
"I’ve been performing really well towards the end of the season, making it to the quarterfinals in six of my last seven tournaments. I’m pleased with my game, and I understand that when I'm playing at my best, not many can defeat me easily or at all. If I perform well in Australia, I am confident about my chances."
Although Nakashima, currently ranked 29th in the ATP standings, fought valiantly during the second set—breaking back when Medvedev served for the championship to level the score at 5-5—Medvedev remained composed, showing little emotion as he maintained his focus throughout the match, minimizing any emotional outbursts that had characterized his past performances.
"I always stay true to myself. When I get angry, I tend to act poorly and sometimes need to apologize, but that’s just who I am," Medvedev explained. "Those emotions are part of me, though they can sometimes drain my energy and focus during matches. Here, I’m pleased to have managed to find my rhythm."
During the tiebreaker, Medvedev unleashed a series of powerful down-the-line backhands, effortlessly forcing Nakashima into defensive positions around the court. His strategic timing to approach the net left his opponent searching for answers.
After clinching his first title of 2025 at the Almaty Open in October—a victory that ended a lengthy title drought dating back to his win at the 2023 Rome Masters—this latest triumph came just three months later.
If victory breeds confidence, then Medvedev is doing everything possible to maintain a winning mentality, crediting his new coaching team for his swift turnaround.
A win on Rod Laver Arena would also contribute to an intriguing aspect of Medvedev's career narrative, as all 22 of his titles have been earned in different cities and tournaments.
"Last year was quite challenging, and it was a bit turbulent, but changing my team has made a difference. I haven’t yet played a grand slam with my new team, but what matters most is how I perform on the court," Medvedev remarked.
"If I were to lose in the first round of the Australian Open but play like I did here in Brisbane, I'd be surprised, but I would still leave the match thinking, 'That was great, and I’ll strive to do better next time.'
"It’s an interesting story—22 titles in 22 different cities—if that trend continues, fantastic! However, I have yet to secure a win in Melbourne."
