If “disruptor” is not the most familiar word for Daniil Medvedev, he clearly understands the concept.
At the US Open in 2021, Medvedev denied Novak Djokovic in the final to stop Djokovic’s history-making quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam.
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Major heights have been similarly steep for Medvedev at Melbourne Park, where he has featured in three of the past four Australian Open men’s finals. Two of those championship matches have extended the full five-set distance, Medvedev falling to Rafael Nadal at AO 2022, and to Jannik Sinner last season.
At age 28 and coming off the first season since 2017 without lifting a tournament trophy, Medvedev admits there is work to be done in replicating those achievements.
“Why? Because I didn't manage last year, except the Australian Open, I was less of a disruptor because Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik [Sinner] were beating me a lot of times. A lot of tournaments I was getting to the good stages but not able to beat them,” he told the media on Friday ahead of his ninth main-draw campaign at the Australian Open.
“I would like to become again, I don't even know this word, but let's say disruptor, because it means that I will be able to get to these later stages and win them.”
Still, almost a decade into his professional playing career, Medvedev’s priorities have inevitably shifted. A day before arriving in Australia this week, the No.5 seed announced on social media that he and his wife, Daria, had welcomed their second child.
“I feel in a great place. Very happy,” he beamed of the couple’s new family member, a sibling to two-year-old daughter, Alisa. “Life on tour, the next day the baby is born and the next day you're on a flight to Australia which takes, like, 24 hours, a 10-hour difference. But that's fine with me. I always said I like tennis. I like travelling.
“I'm feeling great before the start of the season and looking forward.”
Medvedev, who peaked at world No.1 early in 2022, approaches the new season in two minds about rebuilding his top-tier ranking. Having fallen outside the world’s top four in 2024, he arrives at AO 2025 as the world’s fifth-ranked player.
“Ranking is important because it literally shows how did you do this year … I think it shows that I was not at my best last year, because some years I finished higher and other guys were better than me,” he reflected.
“At the same time, it's something, when I go to the tournament here, I don't care if I'm after the tournament No. 4, No. 3, No. 6, because it's going to show, if I make final, I'm probably going to be No. 4.
“I try to do my best, and the ranking will show it. But I don't chase the ranking, because otherwise I would play more tournaments last year, probably get some more points, 250s or 500s. I don't chase it. I need to do better to be higher ranked.”
And chasing points is clearly far from top-of-mind for such an experienced campaigner. Ahead of a first-round meeting with 414th-ranked Kasidit Samrej – a wildcard entrant from Thailand – Medvedev is equally unfussed about the lack of any tournaments or match play ahead of the Australian Open.
“Last year I made the same [schedule], no tournaments,” he said, describing his five-week pre-season as one of his best training periods.
“I don't celebrate Christmas the 25th, but in Russia it's more important the 31st and the 1st is very important. That's where Santa Claus comes in Russia and gives you presents.
“I feel like I'm at the age where I want to be at home. I don't see myself ever playing something before Australian Open because I really like to spend this time with my family, which is growing.
“So yeah, I think the season starts too early. But I feel great, because it gives me extra time to practice. I think we're going to see a lot of interesting things from me, and I'm looking forward to it.”