Daniil Medvedev’s rollercoaster summer took another wild turn this week as the Russian tennis star announced he had split from his longtime coach Gilles Cervara, just days after a headline-grabbing meltdown and a first-round exit at the 2025 US Open. For fans who’ve followed Medvedev’s journey from unheralded hopeful to Grand Slam champion, this is nothing short of a seismic shift in the tennis landscape.
The announcement arrived on September 1, 2025, via social media, with Medvedev posting a heartfelt message alongside a snapshot of himself and Cervara holding the US Open trophy. "Amazing 8-10 years together. 20 titles, world number 1 but most importantly a lot of fun moments and memories that will stay with us forever. I am grateful to you for guiding me through all these years and let’s see what life brings us in the future," Medvedev wrote, the gratitude clear even as the partnership ended.
Cervara, for his part, responded in kind. "Daniil. Our fantastic eight-season adventure together comes to an end. Like a symbolic wink of life, it's after this US Open tournament that we end our collaboration," he posted on Instagram. "I loved training you, coaching you, supporting you (even when it was difficult), and finding solutions with you and the team to help you perform. I will keep in mind your unconventional magic as a player, which is your strength. It will return, I’m sure."
It’s a poignant end to one of tennis’s most productive partnerships outside the era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. When Cervara and Medvedev first joined forces, the Russian was a teenager newly settled in France, widely considered the least promising of his generation compared to compatriots like Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov. Fast forward nearly a decade, and Medvedev has become the best of the bunch, a Grand Slam champion and former world number 1, all with Cervara in his corner.
The split, however, didn’t come out of nowhere. Medvedev’s 2025 season has been a string of disappointments, capped by his dramatic loss to French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi in New York. That match wasn’t just another defeat—it was a spectacle of frustration. Medvedev lost his temper after a photographer mistakenly entered the court, leading to a controversial umpire decision to allow Bonzi another first serve. The Russian’s response? A tirade at the umpire, racket smashing, and an eventual $42,500 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct and racket abuse—nearly 40% of his prize money for the round.
"It was the latest incident of Medvedev losing his temper on court," noted one report, highlighting a pattern that’s tested the patience of even his closest allies. Their relationship wasn’t always smooth sailing; Cervara was known to leave Medvedev’s matches mid-contest in frustration over his player’s attitude. Yet, despite the volatility, the duo’s results speak for themselves: 20 ATP titles, six Grand Slam finals—including the 2021 US Open win that famously denied Novak Djokovic a calendar-year Grand Slam—and the world’s top ranking. Cervara’s efforts were even recognized by the ATP, which named him Coach of the Year in 2019.
But the glory days have faded somewhat. Medvedev’s serve, once a weapon, has lost its edge, and his signature counterpunching style now seems less effective against a new generation of aggressive, first-strike players. In 2025, he managed only a single Grand Slam match win and suffered first-round exits at three consecutive majors—twice at the hands of Bonzi. As a result, Medvedev is set to tumble out of the ATP’s top 15 for the first time since 2019, a stark contrast to his peak just a few seasons ago.
"I am grateful and happy for all the great things and wonderful experiences we were able to experience together on the court during these eight years. It will remain etched in my memory forever," Cervara reflected, acknowledging both the highs and the challenging moments of their collaboration.
For Medvedev, the US Open loss was especially bitter. After falling two sets behind, he mounted a spirited comeback to force a fifth, only to fall short in the decider. He sat motionless on the side of the court as Bonzi celebrated, a portrait of frustration and exhaustion. The next day, Medvedev returned to Monaco for some much-needed reflection with his wife, ultimately concluding that a major change was needed.
The shakeup didn’t stop with Cervara. Medvedev also parted ways with fitness trainer Eric Hernandez, another key figure who’d been with him for nearly a decade. As of now, Medvedev hasn’t named replacements for either role, but he’s reportedly planning to interview several candidates before the tour resumes. The Russian will return to action outside the top 15, facing an uphill climb to regain his former stature.
Despite the recent setbacks, Medvedev’s legacy is secure—at least for now. He remains one of only a handful of players outside the Big Three to win a Grand Slam and reach the world’s top ranking in the past two decades. His 2021 US Open title, in particular, stands out, not just for its significance to his own career but for its role in preventing Djokovic from completing a historic calendar Grand Slam. That moment alone ensured Medvedev’s place in tennis history.
Still, the question lingers: what’s next for the 29-year-old? Can he rediscover his "unconventional magic," as Cervara put it, and adapt his game to the evolving demands of the ATP Tour? Or will this be the start of a slow fade from the sport’s top tier? Only time will tell, but if there’s one thing Medvedev has shown throughout his career, it’s a knack for surprising both fans and critics alike.
For now, the tennis world watches and waits. Medvedev’s next moves—both on and off the court—are sure to be closely scrutinized as he embarks on a new chapter without the coach who helped transform him from a promising talent into a Grand Slam champion. The end of the Medvedev-Cervara era may mark the close of one story, but for Daniil Medvedev, the next act is just beginning.
