Daniil Medvedev’s Coaching Changes
After parting ways with Gilles Cervara, Daniil Medvedev has promptly appointed two new coaching figures to guide his tennis journey. The long-standing partnership, which began in 2017, came to an end following Medvedev’s defeat to Benjamin Bonzi at the 2025 US Open, where both players and fans witnessed a noticeable decline in Medvedev’s performance.
End of a Collaborative Era
Their relationship was marked as one of the most collaborative in the sport, yet some observers believe the split was overdue as Cervara appeared increasingly frustrated with Medvedev’s on-court behavior.
New Coaching Appointments
Despite suggestions from some analysts that Medvedev should take a hiatus from the sport to regroup, the resilient player has instead brought in Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke as his new coaches, as reported by Bolshe.
Johansson, a former champion of the 2002 Australian Open, boasts a wealth of coaching experience, having previously worked with prominent players like Caroline Wozniacki, who made headlines with her comeback in 2023. Most recently, he guided Kei Nishikori, aiding him in reaching his first ATP final in six years following a tough battle with injuries.
Goetzke, on the other hand, has an extensive coaching history that includes a successful period with Richard Krajicek, who famously won Wimbledon in 1996 during their collaboration. This duo’s appointment underscores Medvedev’s desire to revamp his approach and regain previous glory, particularly given the influential role Cervara played in Medvedev’s ascent to winning the 2021 US Open and reaching five additional Grand Slam finals.
Future Prospects
The impact of Johansson and Goetzke on Medvedev’s performance remains to be seen. Successful coaching transitions vary significantly, with examples such as Coco Gauff swiftly winning two titles under Brad Gilbert’s guidance, only to later part ways without replicating that success. In contrast, Iga Swiatek took nearly nine months to make an impact with coach Wim Fissette before unexpectedly clinching the 2025 Wimbledon title.
Daniil Medvedev is currently aiming to break his title drought, having not secured an ATP title since his victory at the 2023 Italian Open. His next opportunity to do so will be at the 2025 Hangzhou Open, where he is seeded second. For Johansson and Goetzke, making a quick positive impact will be critical if Medvedev is to succeed in his upcoming tournament.
