If you see Daniil Medvedev playing more aggressively at the Australian Open, it is a sign that he is heading back to his best shape.
The former US Open champion kicked off his bid in Melbourne Park with a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2) win over Jesper de Jong. Medvedev entered the match eager to win after losing in the first round of his last three major events during what was one of his worst-ever seasons at the Grand Slams last year. Against world No.73 de Jong, he fired 47 winners and converted six out of 10 break point opportunities.
“I played pretty well, but there were moments of the match where I could have played better, especially probably on my serve.” Said Medvedev.
“He’s a bit of a player who likes to, a little bit like me, to bring the ball back from tough positions. Not that easy sometimes.
“In general, I’m happy. The most important thing is to win in three sets.”
Medvedev, who is a three-time Australian Open runner-up, is currently on a seven-match winning streak since the start of this year. Earlier this month, he won the Brisbane International, where he only dropped one set in the entire tournament.
“I think when I’m playing good, I am aggressive, especially on my serve. On the return, with my position, it’s a bit more tougher to be aggressive, but once I hit a good spot, I try to step in.” He explains.
“That’s what I have been doing good this year. When I’m playing well, I am this type of player. So people say that I seem more aggressive than last year It’s great because last year I was not feeling my game well, and that’s when the feeling is that I go too defensive, which I don’t want to. So it’s great that it feels like this.”
Whilst he did win a title last season, 2025 was far from perfect for Medvedev. Struggling at times with his tennis and mentality during matches, he recorded 41 Tour-level wins. That was his lowest tally in a season since 2020, when he won 28. Nevertheless, he still managed to stay within the top 20 throughout his difficulties.
Amid these problems, he opted to stop working with long-time mentor Gilles Cervara last summer. He is now coached by Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke. Johansson is a former player who won the 2002 Australian Open and Goetzke previously mentored Richard Krajicek to the 1996 Wimbledon title.
“Outside of the court, I try to be more optimistic than when I am on the court. That’s just the way I am, the way a lot of tennis players are.” Said Medvedev.
“I had a long preseason. Last year was tough. I’m feeling great with my new team, so I don’t really go too much into the past. What happened last year happened, and it’s okay. It’s part of my career, part of my life. I managed to finish the year like 12 or 13, which is, to be honest, great for many players.
“Of course I was not happy. It was the first year I was not in Turin (at the ATOP Finals) after seven or eight years. It was still not that bad, and the end of the year was better than the year itself.
“I made a big push to try to be more positive on the court. So far, I’m doing it well, but I’m never the guy to say, okay, now, not anymore. We don’t know what’s coming.”
Medvedev will play Quentin Halys in round two at the Australian Open later this week.
