Daniil Medvedev may be preparing for a major resurgence next season, with growing confidence from tennis experts that the former World No. 1 is heading back toward elite territory. After an inconsistent stretch that pushed him outside the top 10 for only the second time in half a decade, Medvedev has rebuilt momentum and ended the year ranked 13th.
The 2025 season was far from ideal for the Russian star. A string of early exits at the Grand Slams—including his loss to teenager Learner Tien at the Australian Open and first-round defeats at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—sent his ranking tumbling. Following his early departure from New York, he came dangerously close to slipping out of the top 20 altogether.
In response, Medvedev made a decisive change, parting ways with long-time coach Gilles Cervara and joining forces with former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson. The shift paid dividends almost immediately. Medvedev captured the ATP 250 title in Almaty and delivered strong semifinal runs in both Beijing and Shanghai, signaling a promising return to form.
Tennis showman and former pro Mansour Bahrami recently shared his confidence in Medvedev’s revival, stating that the 2021 US Open champion still possesses the quality to re-establish himself among the sport’s best. According to Bahrami, Medvedev’s late-season improvements suggest a top-10 comeback is not just possible but highly likely.
Medvedev’s year also had its moments of controversy, including a tense match at the US Open where a photographer’s interruption triggered a delayed finish and sparked frustration from the Russian. Despite the drama, his late-season progress has renewed belief that 2026 could mark a significant chapter in his career as he seeks to reclaim his standing among tennis’ elite competitors.