Daniil Medvedev is currently on track for one of his worst seasons in a very long time, with no titles to his name so far in 2025.
Since Medvedev’s disappointing Wimbledon campaign, which ended abruptly in the first round, the former world number one has picked up just three wins in the North American hard-court swing.
On his preferred surface, he lost in the quarterfinals of the Washington Open and suffered a defeat to Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the Canadian Open.
The Russian has made just one final on the ATP Tour this season, reaching the championship match at the Halle Open, where he lost to Alexander Bublik.
With just one Grand Slam left in the calendar, Medvedev now has a big point to prove in what potentially marks a crucial moment in his career.
Daniil Medvedev’s need for a deep run at the US Open this year
Still only 29 years old, many would find it hard to imagine that his slump is due to age, though it has been the case for some in the past.
Both Marat Safin and Andy Roddick are examples of players whose levels started to fall in and around Medvedev’s age bracket, with both stars choosing to retire from the sport in their late 20s.
Though the former US Open champion didn’t win a title last year, he was at least able to make deep runs at Grand Slams, reaching the final of the Australian Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon.
| Year | Australian Open | Roland Garros | Wimbledon | US Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Second Round | First Round | First Round | – |
| 2024 | Final | Fourth Round | Semifinal | Quarterfinal |
This year, however, Medvedev hasn’t even featured in the second week at a major, having bowed out in the second round in Melbourne and the first round in Paris and London.
His losses at the biggest stages have come to unseeded players in the opening rounds, the most recent of whom was Benjamin Bonzi at the All England Club.
Medvedev now needs a lengthy campaign at Flushing Meadows to prove that he is not already on the decline.
What Daniil Medvedev said about his drop in level earlier this season
Ahead of Roland Garros in May, Medvedev said in a press conference: “I personally feel like I’m playing the best level of my life on clay.
“On hard courts, I’m far from the Daniil that I was. On clay, I feel like I’m even better than before. That’s good for Roland Garros, and I will try to show it.”
“I’m really not far from a great level, and when I say great level, [I mean] where everything is possible, where finals are possible, where Grand Slams are possible.”
Medvedev will hope for a successful US Open tune-up in Cincinnati this month, where he is a former champion.
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