NEW YORK — Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion, announced on Sunday, August 31, 2025, that he has parted ways with his long-time coach Gilles Cervara after nearly a decade together, following a challenging 2025 season culminating in a first-round exit at the US Open. Medvedev, who also split with fitness trainer Eric Hernandez, indicated there were “many reasons” for the change, while Cervara pointed to a sustained period of unsatisfactory results and a need for “new energy” around the player.
The decision marks the end of a highly successful partnership that saw Medvedev capture 20 titles, reach the pinnacle of the ATP rankings, and secure his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open under Cervara’s guidance.
A Decade of Success Culminates in Difficult Season
The collaboration between Daniil Medvedev and Gilles Cervara began almost a decade ago, transforming Medvedev into one of tennis’s most formidable forces. Their partnership yielded significant achievements, including Medvedev’s ascent to world No. 1 in 2022 and his memorable victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2021 US Open final, preventing a calendar-year Grand Slam. Cervara was recognized for his contributions, earning the ATP Coach of the Year award in 2019.
Despite their past glories, the 2025 season proved to be a difficult one for the 29-year-old Russian. Medvedev struggled significantly at major tournaments, securing only one match win across four Grand Slam appearances and suffering three consecutive first-round losses. His final match with Cervara at the US Open ended in a five-set defeat to Benjamin Bonzi, a player who had also eliminated him in the first round of Wimbledon just months prior.
On-Court Meltdown Precedes Announcement
Medvedev’s disappointing US Open campaign was further marred by an on-court outburst during his first-round loss. He incurred a substantial fine of $42,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct, which included berating umpire Greg Allensworth and delaying play. This incident underscored the frustrations of what has been a challenging year for the former world No. 1, who will see his ranking drop further from the No. 5 position he held at the start of the season.
Cervara Cites Need for ‘New Energy’ and Improved Results
While Medvedev’s social media announcement focused on gratitude and shared memories, thanking Cervara for “amazing 8-10 years together,” “20 titles, world number 1 but most importantly a lot of fun moments and memories”, Cervara offered more insight into the underlying reasons for the split.
In an interview, Cervara revealed that the decision was a mutual understanding driven by a need for change. “Yes, results are the gauge of professional success – and even the measure of the player‑coach relationship in tennis. They hadn’t been satisfactory for some time,” Cervara stated, adding that he had been contemplating a change since Medvedev’s first-round exit at Wimbledon. He explained that both he and Medvedev recognized the need for “new energy” around the player to help him “transform” and return to his best form. Cervara also acknowledged that their relationship had been “at times ‘difficult'”.
What’s Next for Medvedev and Cervara
As of the announcement, Daniil Medvedev has not named a new coach. The focus will now be on finding a new guiding presence to help him regain the form that propelled him to the top of men’s tennis.
Meanwhile, Cervara has expressed his desire to remain on the tour and is actively looking for a new coaching project. He plans for a few weeks of rest before seeking a new player to guide, aiming to find a new role during the off-season.
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