MELBOURNE — For Daniil Medvedev, the 370 days between Grand Slam victories felt like an eternity. The former world No. 1, known for his cerebral and often mercurial on-court persona, finally snapped his perplexing major-tournament losing streak with a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Félix Auger-Aliassime in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open. The win marked his first at a Slam since his third-round triumph at Melbourne Park a year prior, a drought that had become a persistent talking point and a mental hurdle for the 2021 US Open champion.
In a post-match press conference that was notably lighter in tone, Medvedev revealed the core of his recent struggle and his new approach. "I am trying to be as positive on the court as I am in life," he stated, a simple yet profound admission for a player whose matches have often been theatrical battles against opponents, conditions, and sometimes, his own frustrations. "It's not easy. In life, I'm a pretty positive guy. I like to joke, I like to be with my family, with my friends. On the court, sometimes the competitor in me, the perfectionist, he takes over and it becomes dark."
The Weight of the Drought
The numbers were stark. After reaching the Australian Open final in 2022 and winning the title in 2024, Medvedev's Grand Slam results in 2024 were uncharacteristically barren:
- A shock first-round exit at the French Open.
- A fourth-round loss at Wimbledon after holding a two-set lead.
- A second-round defeat at the US Open.
Each loss compounded the pressure. The tennis world, accustomed to Medvedev's deep runs at hard-court majors, began to question whether the physical, grinding style that defined his success was taking too great a toll. Rumors of lingering injuries and mental fatigue swirled. Medvedev acknowledged the burden, stating, "You see the draw, you see you haven't won a match at a Slam in a year, and it's there. In your head. You have to fight it."
A New Mindset in Melbourne
The 2025 Australian Open presented a fresh canvas. Medvedev arrived in Melbourne after a solid, if unspectacular, warm-up tour. The key difference, as he explained, was a conscious decision to compartmentalize. "My coach and I, we spoke a lot about this. The goal is not to become someone else on court. The goal is to allow the positive person I am off the court to exist on the court, too. Even when I miss a shot. Even when the crowd is for the other guy."
This new philosophy was tested immediately in his first-round match against a fiery young qualifier. After dropping the first set, the old Medvedev might have engaged in a lengthy, exasperated dialogue with his box. This time, he took a deep breath, reset his tactical plan, and grinded out a four-set victory. The relief was palpable, but the true test came against the powerful Auger-Aliassime.
Masterclass Against Félix
Facing the big-serving Canadian, Medvedev delivered a performance reminiscent of his peak. He was a wall from the baseline, his deep, flat returns neutralizing Auger-Aliassime's primary weapon. More impressively, he showcased a newfound tactical flexibility, frequently moving forward to finish points at the net—a clear evolution in his game. But the most significant change was emotional. After a rare double fault or a line call gone against him, he would look to his box, shrug, and immediately refocus. The negative energy that sometimes seeped into his game was conspicuously absent.
"Today, I felt calm," Medvedev reflected. "Not calm like sleepy, but calm in my head. I was problem-solving. I was not fighting myself. That is a big victory for me, bigger maybe than the score." This internal stability translated into ruthless efficiency. He broke Auger-Aliassime's serve five times and saved all seven break points he faced, a statistic that underscored his clutch performance under the new mindset.
The Road Ahead and a Renewed Purpose
With the streak-busting win secured, Medvedev now looks ahead to the second week at a major, a familiar territory that felt distant just days ago. The draw remains challenging, but the psychological barrier has been shattered. "The feeling after winning, it's like I remember again why I do this," he said, a smile breaking through. "The pain of losing in Slams was eating at me. Now, I have the joy back. It's simple: I love tennis, and I love fighting in these tournaments."
This shift is not just about personal satisfaction. Medvedev is acutely aware of his role in the era's great rivalries, particularly with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have claimed multiple Slams in recent years. To re-enter that conversation, he needed to rediscover his winning formula at the sport's biggest events. "To compete with them, you have to be there in the second week, always. I was missing. Now I want to be back."
A Lesson in Resilience
Daniil Medvedev's 370-day journey between Grand Slam wins is a potent reminder of the sport's mental demands. For all his tactical genius and physical endurance, the greatest obstacle resided between his ears. His public commitment to positivity is a fascinating experiment for one of tennis's most complex characters. Whether this newfound equilibrium can be maintained under the escalating pressure of a semifinal or final remains to be seen. But for now, the "positive guy" from life has earned a visa to compete on the court, and in doing so, has reignited his campaign for more major glory. The tennis world, which thrives on compelling narratives, will be watching closely to see if this philosophical shift is the key to unlocking the second chapter of Daniil Medvedev's Grand Slam story.
As he left his press conference, Medvedev offered one final, telling thought: "One win is just one win. But the way I felt today... that is what I want to keep. If I can keep that feeling, then the wins will come. And maybe, the big trophies, too." In Melbourne, a tournament where he has experienced both heartbreak and ultimate triumph, Daniil Medvedev has found something perhaps more valuable than a mere victory: a clearer path back to his best self.