Daniil Medvedev will look to build on the success he has had with his new coaching team so far at the Rotterdam Open.
After a disappointing first-round exit at the US Open last year, Medvedev parted ways with Gilles Cervara, his longtime coach who guided him to a maiden Grand Slam title.
The Russian then appointed Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, with whom he has seen a return to form.
Medvedev clinched his first title in 882 days at the 2025 Almaty Open and began his 2026 campaign by winning the Brisbane International.
Later this week, during his run at the Rotterdam Open, the 29-year-old will turn 30, and as time goes on, he said his preparation for tour-level matchplay is evolving.
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Daniil Medvedev discusses his change in training
In an interview with Tennis TV, Medvedev said: “You have to [evolve]. If you, at 30, would practice the way you did at 20, you would not hold up.
“So you continue practicing hard, but you just do it smarter for your career because you want to play until you’re 40 like Stan [Wawrinka].
“You have to work hard, but you have to do it smart. You can’t just come in without the warm-up and say today I hit three hours of tennis nonstop, and then I have a rest for two hours, and then I hit two hours more.
“Your body is going to say no, so you do it much smarter, you do more in warm-ups, you do a lot more after the practice with the physios and stuff like this.
“But I like my team. We have great discussions about everything, so we’re doing all the right things, I think.”
Daniil Medvedev previews his ‘tough’ first opponent in Rotterdam
In his opening matchup at the Rotterdam Open, Medvedev will take on Ugo Humbert, against whom he has a losing record of 1-3 at tour-level events.
Previewing the bout, Medvedev said: “I think you need to serve well so to put a bit of pressure on him because he serves well.
“He plays good indoors, always has a good indoor record, so I know that it’s a tough first round where I have to play my best from the first round.
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“That’s also a bit of fun because I mean if you pass this first round means you are in good shape and a good rhythm, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Medvedev is seeded fourth at this year’s Rotterdam Open, which he won in 2023.
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