Daniil Medvedev, the Russian tennis star known for his powerful baseline game and tactical intelligence, had a tough year in 2024. For the first time in seven years, Medvedev failed to win an ATP title, a significant marker in a career that has seen him reach the highest echelons of men’s tennis. While he remained in the world’s top ten, the season was a far cry from the heights he’s accustomed to, with only a few high points in an otherwise disappointing year. Medvedev, who has been a consistent contender in the ATP Tour since breaking into the top ranks, entered the year with expectations high but found himself struggling against the very best in the game.
A Promising Start to the Year: Australian Open Final
2024 started brightly for Medvedev, who reached the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne. His journey to the final was impressive, showcasing his resilience and ability to perform in high-stakes matches. Medvedev, who had previously won the 2021 US Open, was looking to add another Major title to his resume. However, despite putting up a strong fight, he lost to Jannik Sinner in a dramatic five-set final. The match was a showcase of both players’ resilience, with Medvedev pushing the 22-year-old Italian to the limit. Though the loss was disappointing, reaching the final was a positive sign that Medvedev’s level of play remained high at the start of the season.
Indian Wells Final and Further Struggles
After the Australian Open, Medvedev seemed to be on course for another successful year. At Indian Wells, he made his way to the final once again, this time facing the rising star Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish phenom, who had already started to establish himself as one of the new faces of men’s tennis, defeated Medvedev in the final, yet again showing the younger generation’s dominance over the Russian. While the loss at Indian Wells was frustrating, Medvedev’s consistent results in reaching finals suggested he was still a top contender in the ATP circuit. But the real challenges lay ahead.
After Indian Wells, the Russian struggled to maintain his momentum. He failed to reach another final for the rest of the 2024 season, a worrying trend for a player who had been so consistent in the previous years. This marked a significant shift in Medvedev’s form, as he had been one of the most dominant players on tour in 2021 and 2022, regularly challenging for titles. But the mid-season slump in 2024 was hard to ignore, especially as other players continued to rise and challenge the established order.
Disappointing ATP Finals Performance
Medvedev had hoped to end his 2024 season with a strong showing at the ATP Finals, one of the sport’s most prestigious events. However, despite defeating Alex de Minaur in his opening match, Medvedev’s campaign ended prematurely as he was knocked out in the group stages. The loss was a bitter blow for Medvedev, who had been aiming to finish the year on a high note. Instead, his early exit from the year-end tournament reflected the struggles he had faced in the second half of the season, leaving him with no titles to his name in 2024.
The disappointing end to the year was further compounded by concerns regarding Medvedev’s future. While his year had been far from disastrous, with a few notable wins and solid performances, his inability to capture a title and his struggles against the top players raised questions about his ability to return to the top in 2025.
Ivan Pridankin: Medvedev’s Former Coach Offers Insight into His Struggles
Medvedev’s former coach, Ivan Pridankin, recently shared his thoughts on the Russian’s underwhelming season. Speaking to Championat, Pridankin acknowledged that while Medvedev’s year was not productive in terms of titles, the Russian had still accumulated a substantial number of ATP points, keeping him in the top five of the rankings. Despite his struggles, Medvedev’s consistency in reaching important tournaments and his strong showing in several Masters 1000 events helped him maintain his high standing on the ATP Tour.
However, Pridankin also pointed to a concerning trend in Medvedev’s performances, especially in his matches against the top players. “If you look at those he lost against, it becomes clear that it is difficult for him to play against the top players,” Pridankin said. “He approaches matches with a lot of confidence, but it was difficult for him with the leaders of the ranking.”
This issue, Pridankin believes, could be a significant challenge for Medvedev in the coming year. “Maybe even more difficult because he has problems at the level of the game that I, as a coach, would not really know how to solve,” Pridankin continued, pointing to the difficulty Medvedev faces when competing against younger players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, as well as established stars like Alexander Zverev.
The Problem with Top-Tier Competition: Medvedev’s Record Against the ATP Top Ten
As Pridankin mentioned, one of the key issues in Medvedev’s 2024 season was his record against the very best in men’s tennis. Medvedev struggled to match the intensity and consistency of the top players, particularly those in the top five. His record against top-ten opponents was concerning, as he trailed with a 6-9 win-loss ratio for the year. Even more alarming was his dismal performance against top-five players, where Medvedev only won one of his ten matches against the best in the world.
This stat highlights a significant gap between Medvedev and the top-tier players in men’s tennis. While he remains a formidable force on the ATP Tour, his inability to defeat the very best consistently has been a major obstacle in his quest to regain his place at the top of the rankings. If Medvedev wants to get back into the mix for Grand Slam titles and Masters 1000 trophies in 2025, he will need to find a way to consistently beat the likes of Alcaraz, Sinner, and Zverev.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Can Medvedev Regain His Form?
With 2024 now behind him, Medvedev will be looking ahead to 2025, a year that could define the future trajectory of his career. The Russian is expected to return to action at the Australian Open in January, where he will aim to put his struggles behind him and show that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
However, for Medvedev to return to the form that saw him reach world No. 1 and win a Grand Slam title, he will need to address several key aspects of his game. His struggles against the top players, particularly those who have emerged in recent years like Alcaraz and Sinner, will need to be rectified. Whether through technical adjustments, mental fortitude, or simply learning how to adapt to the younger generation’s game, Medvedev’s team will undoubtedly be looking for ways to evolve his play.
Pridankin, for his part, has suggested that Medvedev’s likely path in 2025 will be to stay in the top 5-10 range, continuing to challenge the top players but perhaps not returning to the very top of the ATP rankings. While Medvedev’s potential to reclaim his position as one of the best in the world remains intact, 2024’s struggles have made it clear that it won’t be an easy road back.
In a year full of challenges, Daniil Medvedev’s 2024 season was a reminder of the brutal competition at the top of men’s tennis. As he looks to 2025, he must regroup, learn from his struggles, and find new ways to compete with the game’s best. Whether he can do so remains to be seen, but his ability to bounce back and evolve will be key in shaping the future of his career.