Daniil Medvedev has split from long-time coach Gilles Cervara after his dramatic first-round collapse at the US Open, bringing an end to one of the longest partnerships on the ATP Tour.
The Russian’s campaign in New York unraveled in spectacular fashion when he crashed out to French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi in five sets, a defeat made memorable by his latest on-court meltdown.
Medvedev erupted at umpire Gregory Allensworth after a photographer strayed onto the court at match point in the third set, prompting a controversial ruling that allowed Bonzi to retake his serve.
The 29-year-old raged at the official, taunted the crowd and delayed the match for nearly seven minutes, only to mount a temporary comeback by winning the next two sets.
Daniil Medvedev erupted in anger following his US Open exit earlier this week
|REUTERS
His fightback fell short, however, and Bonzi held his nerve in the decider to send the former US Open champion packing.
Medvedev capped off the chaos by smashing his racket before leaving the court, a sequence that earned him a fine of almost £31,500 from the United States Tennis Association - wiping out nearly 40 per cent of his prize money.
Now, just days later, Cervara confirmed on Instagram that his eight-year collaboration with Medvedev had officially come to an end.
“Our fantastic eight-season adventure together comes to an end,” Cervara wrote.
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“Like a symbolic wink of life, it’s after this US Open tournament that we end our collaboration.
"I am grateful and happy for all the great things and wonderful experiences we were able to experience together on the court during these eight years. It will remain etched in my memory forever.
“I thank you for placing your trust in me. I gave EVERYTHING, every second, for our shared goals.
"I loved training you, coaching you, supporting you (even when it was difficult), and finding solutions with you and the team to help you perform.
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"I will keep in mind your unconventional magic as a player, which is your strength. It will return, I’m sure.”
The split leaves Medvedev at a crossroads in his career.
His exit in New York has dropped him to 16th in the live rankings, behind compatriot Karen Khachanov and American Tommy Paul, marking one of his steepest declines since his breakthrough years.
Once a mainstay inside the world’s top five, the Russian has now failed to reach the second week of a Grand Slam in 2024, and his temperament is under increasing scrutiny.
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| REUTERSJohn McEnroe was among those who expressed concern after the Bonzi defeat, accusing Medvedev of losing his competitive edge.
“This [meltdown] sort of cemented it, like how little confidence he has in anything,” McEnroe told ESPN.
“Bonzi showed a lot of balls at the end in the fifth set. I was sort of hoping Medvedev would win.
"He’s got to get his act together. I’m not sure he can. I think he’s so lost right now.
Daniil Medvedev was dumped out of the US Open by Benjamin Bonzi at the start of the week
|REUTERS
"I always liked Daniil. There’s something about the US Open that brings out the best and worst of him.”
With Cervara gone and his form spiraling, Medvedev faces one of the most challenging resets of his career. Whether he can rediscover the resilience that made him a Grand Slam champion may define his future at the top of the sport.