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Medvedev Turns the Page in Melbourne as Positivity Fuels Grand Slam Revival

Daniil Medvedev insists a renewed focus on composure and perspective is reshaping his tennis, after finally halting a worrying Grand Slam slide with a controlled first-round victory at the Australian Open.

The Russian, long associated with emotional volatility on court, delivered a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) win over Jesper de Jong on Monday at Margaret Court Arena, ending a run of three consecutive first-round exits at the majors. It was a performance marked not only by tactical clarity, but by restraint—an encouraging sign for a player who has spent much of the past year searching for equilibrium.

“I’m trying to be as positive on the court as I am in life,” Medvedev said afterwards, reflecting on a conscious shift in mindset that has already begun to pay dividends.

That victory extended his unbeaten start to the season to six matches, following his title run at the Brisbane International earlier in January. For a former world number one whose 2025 campaign was disrupted by early losses and visible frustration, the early-season momentum offers cautious optimism.

Medvedev’s struggles last year were well documented. First-round defeats at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open saw him tumble from fifth in the world rankings to as low as 18th. Incidents off the baseline—most notably damaging a net camera and confronting a photographer in New York—only reinforced the sense of a player battling internal pressures more than physical limitations.

Despite ending an 882-day title drought with victory at the Almaty Open, Medvedev narrowly missed qualification for the ATP Finals, a rare absence for one of the tour’s established elite.

Looking back, the 29-year-old is candid about the roots of his difficulties. “It was mental more than physical,” he admitted. “When things don’t work, you start forcing shots, and tension builds during matches.”

A significant turning point came after the US Open, when Medvedev parted ways with long-time coach Gilles Cervara following an eight-year partnership. Since then, former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and performance coach Rohan Goetzke have joined his team—a collaboration that has already yielded two titles and a calmer on-court presence.

Now seeded 11th in Melbourne, Medvedev will face France’s Quentin Halys in the second round. While he twice failed to serve out the match against De Jong, his ability to regroup in the tiebreak underlined the very progress he believes is driving his resurgence.

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