Calm, meticulous, ferocious: Why reborn Medvedev can end Australian hoodoo
He waited more than two years between titles. Now, Daniil Medvedev has issued a warning ahead of the Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev is adamant that his form slump, which triggered his freefall out of the world’s top 10, is behind him, and he is more ready now than ever to clinch a maiden Australian Open crown.
The polarising Russian star added the Brisbane International trophy to his cabinet on Sunday courtesy of a 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) triumph over Brandon Nakashima, dropping just one set en route to the silverware.
Daniil Medvedev has triumphed at the Brisbane International. Credit: Getty Images
A three-time finalist at the first grand slam of the year, Medvedev endured an underwhelming 2025 in which the former No.1 fell to 18th, before rising back to 13th in a year that began with a shock second-round exit in Melbourne.
That did not stop his infamous on-court outbursts that resulted in $122,000 worth of fines for repeatedly smashing his racquet against the net and causing damage to a camera. He then lost in the first round at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open - the latter the scene of his sole grand slam victory, where he copped further fines for unsportsmanlike conduct and racquet abuse.
But this week, there have been promising signs that the Medvedev of old was back. On Sunday, Pat Rafter Arena became his hunting ground - meticulously grinding Nakashima out of the contest with his relentless court coverage from the baseline to the net, off the forehand and backhand.
While Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have distanced themselves from the pack as the clear favourites once the Melbourne showcase gets underway - sharing the past eight grand slam titles with four each since the start of 2024 - Medvedev believed he was nearing the sort of form needed to turn the tide.
Medvedev holds the winner’s trophy.Credit: AP
His variable short and back court game and fitness, while managing serve speeds beyond 200km/hr, perhaps gives him the greatest repertoire needed to unseat the world’s leading two stars.
“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 said.