Daniil Medvedev has emphatically halted a concerning 370-day losing streak at tennis's major championships, securing a decisive first-round victory at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
A Long-Awaited Return to Winning Ways
The former world number one, seeded 11th in this year's tournament, dispatched Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (2). This win marks his first triumph at a grand slam event since January 2025, bringing a dismal sequence of early exits to a close.
Medvedev's difficult run included consecutive first-round losses at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open last year, preceded by a second-round defeat to Learner Tien at the 2025 Australian Open.
Fresh Team and Fresh Outlook Pay Dividends
The Russian star arrived in Melbourne with renewed confidence, having just clinched the 22nd ATP title of his career at the Brisbane International. This resurgence follows a significant coaching change, with Medvedev splitting from long-time mentor Gilles Cervara after a notable on-court outburst during his US Open defeat last August.
He has since assembled a new support team, including former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and coach Rohan Goetzke, describing their influence as "a breath of fresh air."
"I'm feeling great with my new team," Medvedev stated after his win. "I made a big push to try to be more positive on the court. So far I'm doing it well... just trying to be positive on the court as I am in life, actually."
Path Through the Draw Opens Up
Medvedev's immediate reward is a second-round clash against Frenchman Quentin Halys. Furthermore, a potential major hurdle in his section of the draw was removed when seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime retired from his opening match due to cramp, vacating a projected fourth-round meeting.
Reflecting on his challenging 2025 season, where he finished outside the ATP Finals qualification spots for the first time in nearly a decade, Medvedev adopted a philosophical perspective. "What happened last year happened, and it's okay. It's part of career, part of life," he said, acknowledging that his year-end ranking of 12 or 13 was still a strong achievement.
With the weight of his grand slam drought lifted and a visibly brighter mindset, Medvedev's campaign at Melbourne Park is now firmly back on track.
