"I already know who he will train": Daniil Medvedev confirms ongoing contact with former coach and locks in 2026 team

Daniil Medvedev has entered a new phase of his career following his split from long-time coach Gilles Cervara. The former World No. 1 spent much of 2025 competing in a dense block of tournaments, leaving little room for training blocks or reflection. As he explains it, the off-season finally gives him the opportunity to reset after a demanding stretch on tour.

The separation did not come with drama, but with timing. Medvedev acknowledges that the packed calendar limited his ability to test a refreshed training structure. With the new team - Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke - most of their interaction happened during tournaments, not during proper preparation weeks. For him, the real assessment begins now, as he shifts into a more controlled training period.

Despite the transition, Medvedev remains optimistic. He sees this period as a bridge rather than a rupture, and believes the next months will provide a clearer picture of how well the new coaching setup fits his long-term goals. The Russian emphasizes that the energy within the team has been positive so far, which gives him confidence heading into 2026.

"It's possible to draw some preliminary conclusions because almost three months have passed," he said in an interview with Alena Mayorova. "The only thing is that we haven't had much work outside of tournaments: I played six in a row, and before that, we were only on the team for a week and a half. So the main work will be now, but meanwhile, everything has gone wonderfully."

The arrangement with Johansson and Goetzke was initially framed as temporary, designed to last only until the end of the season. That structure allowed Medvedev and his team to decide freely whether to continue beyond 2025, without pressure or a rigid commitment from either side.

"Initially, we agreed that this would be a trial period until the end of the season. We are all enjoying it and continuing to work. So next season will be more interesting: both they and I have higher expectations. We'll see what happens."

Still, the relationship with Cervara has not vanished from Medvedev’s routine. Their contact is limited now, but not absent, and Medvedev already knows who his former coach is set to work with next. That overlap will bring them together again during upcoming training weeks. "I keep in touch a bit with my former coach, but it won't be daily anymore. It so happens that I already know who he will train because it is most likely that we will train with him during the preseason. So we will meet again on the tour."

Medvedev has been paying close attention to the next wave of talent rising on the ATP and WTA Tours. Among them is 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, with whom he partnered in mixed doubles during an exhibition event earlier in the season. He follows her progress closely and remains impressed by her maturity and ability to compete with top players despite her age.

"I follow the results of the tournaments we played together, and there are so many right now. Mirra is performing very well, and she is still very young. It's a pity, of course, that she didn't qualify for the WTA Finals after such a good start to the season, but she has a lot ahead of her, and I believe she will achieve great victories."

On the men’s side, Medvedev evaluates two of the brightest prospects: João Fonseca and Learner Tien. While he sees both as highly gifted, he identifies Fonseca as slightly more suited to the current demands of the sport, noting his physicality, court sense, and adaptability.

"I don't think Tien is better than Fonseca in any way; both are very good players. Fonseca has a little more potential due to his playing style and the current state of tennis. If there were no serve in tennis, although, of course, that will never happen, then, except for Sinner and Alcaraz, I don't see anyone who could easily defeat him. He is a phenomenal player, with excellent court control. You can't say he has a single crazy shot, but he plays wonderfully," concludes Daniil Medvedev, who is confident that 2026 will be the year of his resurgence.