Daniil Medvedev’s return to the winner’s circle has finally arrived, and what a journey it’s been! On October 19, 2025, under the autumn lights of Almaty, Kazakhstan, the former World No. 1 clinched the Almaty Open title after a gripping three-set battle against France’s Corentin Moutet. The 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory wasn’t just another addition to his trophy cabinet—it marked the end of a staggering 882-day title drought and signaled a remarkable resurgence for the 29-year-old Russian star.
For Medvedev, this win is more than just a number. It’s his 21st ATP Tour title, and, in an astonishing twist, each has come at a different tournament. That’s right—no repeats! From Sydney to St. Petersburg, Shanghai to New York, and now Almaty, Medvedev has built a collection as diverse as it is impressive. No other player on the current tour can claim such a unique record.
The final in Almaty was no walk in the park. Moutet, chasing his maiden tour-level title, put up a fierce fight. Medvedev, who had been under pressure after a string of near-misses since his last triumph at the 2023 Italian Open in Rome, had to dig deep. The Frenchman, ranked No. 36 after this run, showed off his signature touch and tenacity, even leveling the match after a sparkling second set.
But Medvedev’s resilience shone through. He rallied from a break down in the first set, winning four of the final five games to take the opener. The second set saw both players trade breaks, but Moutet’s sharp play forced a decider. The third set was a test of nerves and stamina—Moutet saved four early break points, but Medvedev finally broke through, serving out the match and sealing the win with a volley at the net after two hours and 38 minutes of high-octane tennis.
“It’s the first time I’m at a tournament with my two daughters together, so to get a title is really nice,” Medvedev shared during the trophy ceremony, his joy palpable. “This title is in honour of my second daughter, Victoria, because the first title I got when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her.” It was a touching moment for the Medvedev family, all present to witness the end of his long wait for silverware.
Medvedev’s journey back to the top hasn’t been easy. Since his Rome victory in May 2023, he’s tasted defeat in six finals—including high-profile losses at the US Open, Vienna, Beijing, the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Halle. His struggles in 2025, particularly with his serve and consistency, saw him tumble out of the top 10 and ultimately part ways with long-time coach Gilles Cervara.
The tide began to turn after the US Open, when Medvedev brought in new coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke. Under their guidance, he’s posted a 12-3 record since New York, steadily rebuilding his confidence and refining his game. The partnership seems to be paying dividends, with Medvedev crediting his improved serve and more aggressive tactics for his recent success. “I was not super happy with how I played in some moments of the match, but to win feels amazing. In the most important points I played good,” he admitted after the final, echoing the sense of relief and satisfaction that comes from overcoming adversity.
In Almaty, Medvedev’s path to the title was anything but straightforward. He dispatched James Duckworth, Fábián Marozsán, and Adam Walton—saving multiple break points along the way—before facing Moutet in the final. Each match showcased flashes of the old Medvedev: strong service games, resilience under pressure, and a willingness to take control of rallies. Notably, he’s shown a greater eagerness to come to the net, a tactical shift that’s kept opponents guessing.
The numbers tell their own story. With this win, Medvedev now boasts 19 hard-court titles—second only to Novak Djokovic among active male players. Since 2018, he’s racked up 302 hard-court victories, more than anyone else on tour. Almaty may be an ATP 250 event, but for Medvedev, it carries the weight of a Grand Slam. It’s a psychological breakthrough, a release of tension that’s been building through months of near-misses and public scrutiny.
For Moutet, the defeat stings but also signals progress. The Frenchman, competing in his third tour-level final, didn’t drop a set en route to the championship match and is set to rise to a career-high ranking. In the final, he dazzled with deft hands and tactical variety, especially in a second set where he notched nine winners and just two unforced errors. But in the end, Medvedev’s depth and aggression proved decisive, pinning Moutet deep and denying him the chance to dictate with his trademark drop shot.
Looking ahead, Medvedev’s Almaty triumph boosts his ranking to 12th in the ATP Live Race to Turin, keeping his faint hopes for a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals alive. He trails eighth-placed Lorenzo Musetti by 875 points, but with the Vienna Open and Paris Masters on the horizon, there’s still a chance for a late-season surge. “With the year-end race to the Nitto ATP Finals still alive, a title lifts confidence, ranking points and positioning,” noted one analyst. At 29, Medvedev has shown he’s far from finished.
What’s changed for the Russian? Beyond the coaching switch, it’s a renewed mindset. He’s serving with more purpose—fewer double faults, more first-serve winners—and embracing a more aggressive, point-shortening style. After rating his 2024 season a mere “6.5/10,” Medvedev and his team have clearly been working on tweaks. The Almaty run suggests those adjustments are starting to bear fruit.
So, what’s next for Medvedev? Can he translate this momentum to the ATP 500s, Masters 1000s, or even Grand Slams? Will this title serve as a springboard for a strong finish to 2025 and a bold start to 2026? Only time will tell, but if Almaty is any indication, Daniil Medvedev’s story is far from over. For now, the Russian’s smile says it all—the weight is lifted, the drought is over, and the chase for more glory is back on.