The Cincinnati Open, typically a stronghold for Daniil Medvedev, turned into a scene of frustration and introspection for the former world No. 1 on August 10, 2025. In a stunning first-round upset, the 2021 US Open champion fell to Australia’s Adam Walton, ranked No. 85, in a grueling 7-6(0), 4-6, 1-6 defeat. The match, played under the sweltering Ohio sun, marked another low in a season that has seen Medvedev struggle to recapture the relentless form that once made him a Grand Slam contender. His candid post-match remarks revealed a player grappling with dwindling confidence and physical limitations, yet determined to fight through a career-defining slump. “It’s a shame, it’s annoying… tough time for me but such is tennis, all you can do is keep trying to find a way,” Medvedev said, his voice heavy with disappointment. “I haven’t found one yet.”
Medvedev’s 2025 season has been a stark contrast to his dominant years. With a 26-16 win-loss record, the 29-year-old Russian has plummeted to No. 14 in the ATP rankings, his lowest since 2019. Early exits at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and now Cincinnati—where he won the title in 2019—have fueled concerns that his “era” may be fading. The rise of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, whose baseline power and versatility have redefined the men’s game, has left Medvedev searching for answers. “The main problem is that I don’t have the baseline power of players like Carlitos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, who can close rallies at any time thanks to their shots,” he admitted earlier this year after a win in Marseille. His once-unassailable game, built on deep court positioning and tactical precision, now feels predictable against the sport’s new titans.
The match against Walton encapsulated Medvedev’s struggles. After edging a tight first-set tiebreak, he faltered as the heat and Walton’s relentless aggression took their toll. A critical moment came in the second set when a stumble on a routine forehand sent the ball into the net, sparking an angry exchange with his team. “If my physique fails me, now that I don’t have confidence, there’s no shot that can save me,” Medvedev later confessed, pinpointing a dual crisis of physical fatigue and mental doubt. His third-set collapse, where he won just one game, underscored a troubling trend: a 1-3 record in his last four hard-court matches, a surface where he once thrived. Fans, however, remain captivated by his transparency and quirks, like his playful search for a whiffed ball in Toronto, which drew chuckles but masked deeper frustrations.
Medvedev’s challenges extend beyond the court. A $76,000 fine for an Australian Open outburst and a heated moment smashing water bottles during a DC Open loss to Corentin Moutet highlight his emotional strain. “It’s very tough in tennis, because I could find 10 reasons and I would not know which one is the main reason,” he said, reflecting on his inability to pinpoint the root of his woes. Critics have noted his stagnation, with one observer stating, “He’s no longer scary. He’s not hurting. Even in 2019, he didn’t play the short game well, he didn’t volley very well. And he hasn’t progressed.” Yet Medvedev’s tactical intelligence remains a strength, and his 9-12 break-point save rate against Walton showed flashes of his old resilience.
As the US Open looms, Medvedev faces a critical juncture. His past success in North America, including a 2021 Toronto title and back-to-back Cincinnati semi-finals in 2021-22, offers hope, but his current form suggests a steep climb. “I usually was in a better position at this time of the year, but I’m very close,” he said, eyeing a potential quarter-final run at a Masters 1000 to boost his Turin qualification chances, where he sits 19th in the ATP Live Race. His rivalry with Sinner (7-8) and Alcaraz, whom he’s beaten in majors, proves he can still challenge the best, but consistency eludes him. Off the court, Medvedev’s passion for fast cars and his French fluency, honed in Antibes, add depth to a personality fans adore, even as his game falters.
This loss, while painful, hasn’t extinguished Medvedev’s resolve. “Whatever we do, we just try to improve,” he told reporters, signaling a commitment to evolve. With the US Open starting August 24, the hard courts of New York offer a chance to rediscover the joy and sarcasm that make him dangerous. For now, Medvedev’s hunt for form continues, a saga as compelling as his viral “Meddy moments” that keep fans rooting for his comeback.
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