Australian Open 2025: Daniil Medvedev eyes return to his best

Tipped by an Aussie great to win a breakthrough title at Melbourne Park, a famous villain is backing in a unique preparation.

Three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev says he’s hatching a plan to bring down Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz after “one of his best pre-seasons” this summer.

Medvedev, who this week welcomed his second child before jumping on a plane to Melbourne, has persisted with the strategy he adopted last season of skipping all lead-in tournaments to freshen up for the Open.

His preparation paid off in 2024 as he stormed into the final and won the first two sets against Sinner before the Italian overpowered him to claim the trophy.

Tipped by Australian champion Ash Barty to go all the way to the title this week, Medvedev felt his 2024 campaign had been subpar and revealed a clear gap between him and the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner loomed in Medvedev’s half of the draw, and he said he would need to improve his record against the top-three stars to add to his 2021 US Open title.

“I didn’t manage (to be a disrupter) last year, except the Australian Open,” the 28-year-old said on Friday.

Australian tennis great Ash Barty has tipped 2024 runner-up Daniil Medvedev (right) to win his second grand slam and first at Melbourne Park this year. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“I was less of a disrupter because Carlos and Jannik were beating me a lot of times … a lot of tournaments, I was getting to good stages but not able to beat them.

“I would like to become (disrupter) again … at this moment, they’re clearly the favourites, and that’s normal. I’ll try to develop (a plan), and let’s see if it works.”

Medvedev said he would like to see a later start date for the ATP season but was content to sacrifice ranking points by skipping the early tournaments to optimise his preparation for the first grand slam of the year.

“I don’t want to make too big of a statement – I felt like it was one of the best pre-seasons I’ve had in quite some time … I think five weeks, which is a lot,” he said.

“Last year, I made the same (decision), no tournaments. In my opinion, it starts too early. I don’t celebrate Christmas on the (December) 25th, but in Russia the 31st and 1st is very important … that’s when Santa Claus comes in Russia and gives you presents, et cetera.

Medvedev’s focus has been on hatching a plan to improve his record against the game’s top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Picture: William West / AFP

“I feel like I’m at the age where I want to be home. I don’t really see myself ever playing something before the Australian Open (again) because I really like to spend time with my family, which is growing.”

Known for winding up Australian crowds, his opponents and even match officials (in a heated 2022 Open semi-final he called the chair umpire a “small cat”), Medvedev weighed in on the increased scrutiny over players giving their opponents “cold handshakes” after a defeat on the men’s tour.

“I think we should be, as all tennis players, maybe a bit more open to cold handshakes in a way, even if personally I like more the Novak (Djokovic) style … when I was young, I was always admiring it,” Medvedev said.

“Once the match finishes, he tells himself, ‘it’s done, the battle is done’.

“Always smiling, I like this … I’m OK with both, but I prefer warm handshakes.”

Medvedev’s first-round clash will be against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej.