"Sometimes you need a new outlook": Rennae Stubbs hints Daniil Medvedev could use the help of Goran Ivanisevic

Daniil Medvedev’s 2025 season has been far from smooth, and Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs believes a coaching shake-up might be just what the Russian star needs. After a series of disappointing performances on the North American hardcourt swing, Stubbs suggested that Medvedev could benefit from the "volatile" influence of Goran Ivanisevic, whose brief stints with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Elena Rybakina did not quite yield the results expected.

Medvedev’s struggles were most recently highlighted by his first-round exit at the Cincinnati Open, where he fell to Adam Walton, continuing a pattern of underwhelming performances. The Russian, who last lifted a trophy in Rome in 2023, also faced early departures at Wimbledon and the Citi Open, losing in the quarterfinals to Corentin Moutet 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Battling extreme heat conditions in Washington, Medvedev even required a mid-match medical timeout, underlining the challenges he has faced this season.

At the Canadian Open, Medvedev was unable to advance past the Round of 32, losing to defending champion Alexei Popyrin and leaving the court in frustration, even leaving behind his personal belongings. Such repeated setbacks caught the attention of Stubbs, who suggested that a fresh perspective might be the key to reigniting Medvedev’s career.

Stubbs, who coached Serena Williams to multiple Grand Slam titles, noted that sometimes players need a new voice or energy in their camp. "I don’t know! A sabbatical or a coaching change, and I love his coach [Gilles Cervara]. I love him. And they have been together a long, long time and achieved a lot together, but maybe it’s a Goran Ivanisevic who is floating around." she said.

She continued on by saying: "The [Stefanos] Tsitsipas thing didn’t work out, the [Elena] Rybakina thing didn’t work out. Maybe it’s a volatile personality who has also worked with some great players. Maybe someone like that could come in and give him a new, fresh look. It’s not because his current coach can’t do it, but sometimes you need a new outlook.".

Medvedev has had a long and successful partnership with Gilles Cervara, dating back to 2017. Under Cervara’s guidance, he reached the pinnacle of the sport, achieving the world number 1 ranking, winning the US Open, and reaching three Australian Open finals. However, after a strong 2024 season, Medvedev has struggled to rediscover his form, leading many analysts and fans to wonder if a change in approach or a fresh coaching dynamic could spark a turnaround.

Reflecting on his current campaign, Medvedev remained candid about the challenges he has faced. "It’s a real shame, it’s a difficult time for me, but such is tennis. All you can do is look for a way out. I haven't found one yet. Apparently, I'm far from it. But one day, I will find it," he said, highlighting the determination that has carried him through previous slumps.

Looking ahead, Medvedev will compete at the US Open, where he will also participate in the mixed doubles draw alongside young Russian talent Mirra Andreeva during Fan Week. While Stubbs doubts he will immediately turn his form around, her comments suggest that an injection of energy and a new coaching outlook, potentially from someone as unpredictable and passionate as Ivanisevic, could help Medvedev regain the competitive edge he once displayed consistently on the tour.

Medvedev’s struggles serve as a reminder that even elite players can experience difficult seasons, and that sometimes success is not just about technique, fitness, or tactics, but perspective. Whether a coaching shake-up or fresh guidance is the answer remains to be seen, but tennis fans will be watching closely as Medvedev attempts to reclaim the form that once made him one of the sport’s brightest stars.