“When I’m playing well, not many can beat me”: Daniil Medvedev reignites comeback with Brisbane triumph

Daniil Medvedev claimed his first title of the season in his opening week of competition, defeating Brandon Nakashima in the final of the Brisbane International. The former world No. 1 prevailed 6–2, 7–6(1) to lift the 22nd title of his career — in a 22nd different city, extending his unique record of winning every title in a different location.

The former world No. 1 is beginning to see a path back towards the top of the rankings after a 2025 season that fell short of expectations, which ended with his separation from long-time coach Gilles Cervara, with whom he worked for eight years. Medvedev endured a title drought of nearly two years before parting ways with Cervara, but just a few weeks later he returned to the winner’s circle by lifting the trophy at the Almaty Open.

Heading into the 2026 season, and already with several months of work alongside his new coaching team — Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke — Medvedev could hardly have asked for a better start. He recorded wins over rivals such as Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen en route to the final, where he overcame Nakashima in straight sets.

“Today the conditions were a little heavier, so it was tougher to get the ball through the air,” Medvedev said in his post-match press conference. “I think it was the same for him, because he usually gets more free points on serve. There’s room to improve, but it’s about small things.”

Beyond the immediate boost of winning a title, Medvedev’s main objectives remain firmly focused on the Grand Slams, with the Australian Open now his next major challenge. The Russian reached the final in Melbourne in 2021, 2022 and 2024, but last season he exited as early as the second round, falling to teenage sensation Learner Tien in a tight three-set match.

From that point on, Medvedev failed to record another Grand Slam victory in 2025, suffering first-round exits at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. “The next Grand Slam is in one week. You could lose in the first round, you could win it. I’ll try my best,” Medvedev said ahead of his trip to Melbourne. “I’ve been playing very well at the end of the season. I think I made six quarterfinals in my last seven tournaments, a lot of semifinals, and won two titles. I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing.”

“When I’m playing well, there aren’t many players who can beat me easily, or at all. That’s the most important thing. If I manage to play well in Australia, I’m happy with my chances. Then you never know — sometimes a player can play the match of the year against you, or you face Carlos, Jannik, Sasha, or someone else and they beat you. But I’m happy with how I’m playing right now, happy with the title, and looking forward to more.”

The former US Open champion made a small but significant move up the ATP rankings following his run in Brisbane, climbing to world No. 12, putting him within striking distance of the top 10 — currently closed out by Alexander Bublik after his title win in Hong Kong this same week.

Medvedev will arrive in Melbourne outside the top 10 and seeded No. 13, marking his lowest seeding at the Australian Open since 2019. Asked in press conference whether he views himself as something of an underdog — given his ranking drop and recent Grand Slam struggles — the Russian was not entirely convinced.

“Being an underdog depends. If you look at a deep run, sure, I’m an underdog because it’s been some time since I reached the later stages of a Grand Slam and I’m outside the top 10,” the world No. 12 said. “But in the first few rounds, I won’t really be an underdog. I’ve been three times in the final there. I do feel like people in Melbourne love me — maybe that’s a big thing to say, but I hope so. I’ll try to do the same as here: enjoy my tennis, enjoy the game, enjoy the fight. Hopefully, people will support me.”