In a move that has stunned the tennis world, former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev has ended his highly successful partnership with coach Gilles Cervara. The announcement, confirmed by multiple sources, comes at a critical juncture as the Russian prepares to defend his US Open crown later this month.
The pair, who began working together in 2017, forged one of the most formidable player-coach relationships on the ATP Tour. Under Cervara's guidance, Medvedev transformed from a promising talent into a Grand Slam champion and the undisputed world's best hard-court player.
The End of an Era
Their collaboration yielded the most significant triumph of Medvedev's career: a stunning straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2021 US Open final, which denied the Serbian his calendar Grand Slam. Together, they also clinched 20 ATP titles and secured Medvedev's ascent to the top ranking.
The reasons behind the sudden split remain undisclosed, with neither party offering immediate public comment. The timing is particularly curious, given the proximity to the final Grand Slam of the year at Flushing Meadows.
Questions for the US Open
This unexpected separation throws Medvedev's US Open preparations into uncertainty. A player's relationship with their coach is paramount in an individual sport like tennis, providing not just tactical insight but also crucial emotional and mental support during the gruelling major tournaments.
Speculation will now mount over who will guide the Russian's box in New York and whether this disruption will impact his ability to challenge for a second title. The tennis community will be watching closely to see how this seismic shift affects one of the game's most prominent figures.
