Daniil Medvedev sent ‘difficult’ warning as ex-coach and former No 1 assess Grand Slam hopes
Daniil Medvedev’s ex-coach Ivan Pridankin and former world No 1 Dinara Safina both believe it will be difficult for the Russian to add to his Grand Slam collection in 2025.
Medvedev won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2021 but has so far been unable to add to his major collection.
The Russian lost the 2023 US Open final to Novak Djokovic while losing the 2022 and 2024 Australian Open finals – both from two sets up – to Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner respectively.
2024 proved a difficult year for the 28-year-old, who failed to win a title in a season for the first time since 2017.
Medvedev’s last title came at the Italian Open in 2023, with the former world No 1 losing Australian Open and Indian Wells finals this year.
Matches against Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz proved particularly troublesome for the Russian in 2024, going a combined 1-8 in meetings against the duo this season.
Speaking to Championat, his former coach Pridankin – who worked with him for six years – believes it could prove “even more difficult” for Medvedev to break through in 2025.
He said: “The season was not very productive in terms of titles, but Daniil scored a lot of points, performed successfully in major tournaments, and finished the year in the top five.
“If you look at who he lost to, it becomes clear: it is difficult for him to play with top-level tennis players. He takes the matches he should [win] quite confidently, but it was difficult for him with the leaders.
“This is understandable, and it seems to me that the next season will not be easier. Maybe even more difficult – because he has problems in terms of play, which I, as a coach, do not really know how to solve.
“How to compete with Sinner and Alcaraz? And it will be more difficult with [Alexander] Zverev now. And I do not see yet how this can be solved. His team is probably looking for ways to develop.
“Staying at the level of 4th to 10th place is the most likely development. And winning the Grand Slam title and rising to the first or second line in the ranking is a question – I don’t know yet what Daniil can surprise with.”
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Medvedev’s season ended at the ATP Finals in Turin two weeks ago, where losses to Sinner and Taylor Fritz saw him fail to make it out of his group.
Now working as a journalist, former Grand Slam finalist Safina interviewed her compatriot in Turin – and believes he needs to recuperate physically and mentally ahead of next season.
“I had only one observation about Daniil in Turin – he was so tired. I think he didn’t care about the tournament anymore,” added Safina, also speaking to Championat.
“I had one desire, to say: ‘Dan, take a rest, hang up your racket. Until you feel like training again, don’t even pick it up.’
“His physical condition was greatly interfering with his emotional state. So Daniil just needs to rest. Two wins, and you become the best version of yourself again, and Daniil plays well, he hasn’t lost anything in the game.
“I’m sure Medvedev still wants to win a second Grand Slam. Now, however, there are a lot of people who want to – the stars have to align.”
Medvedev is expected to start his 2025 season at the Australian Open, which begins on January 12.
