Daniil Medvedev has had a turbulent start to the 2025 season, suffering another early-round exit at the Rotterdam Open. The former World No.1, who has struggled for form in recent months, crashed out in the second round to qualifier Mattia Bellucci, raising further concerns about his game.
But when asked about a potential early retirement, the 2021 US Open champion made his stance clear—he’s not going anywhere.
“No, I mean, I don’t even know what to say about this. I like tennis, still win a lot of money, so I’m going to continue playing till I can do it.”
Despite his recent dip in form, Medvedev remains one of the highest-paid players in ATP history, having earned over $45 million in prize money. He insists that as long as he’s competing at a high level, retirement isn’t even a consideration.
Medvedev’s Struggles Continue: What’s Going Wrong?
Medvedev’s Rotterdam Open campaign was expected to be a chance for redemption after his disappointing second-round loss at the Australian Open.
- First round: Battled past Stan Wawrinka in three sets (6-7, 6-4, 6-1) but struggled with the slow courts.
- Second round: Suffered a shocking 3-6, 7-6(6), 3-6 loss to qualifier Mattia Bellucci, marking his second consecutive early exit this season.
Frustrated with the slow courts and balls, Medvedev admitted that he couldn’t play his usual aggressive game.
“Slow courts, slow balls, but it’s not new. I don’t have enough power in these conditions to dictate the game.”
His game style, which relies on precise counterpunching and flat ball striking, seems to be less effective in these conditions—something that has become a growing concern over the last year.
A Coaching Shake-Up Adds to the Uncertainty
In an attempt to reignite his form, Medvedev recently brought former ATP player Gilles Simon onto his team—but the partnership has already ended after just a few months.
- Was it a sign of panic? Medvedev’s willingness to shake up his coaching team mid-season suggests that he recognizes the need for adjustments.
- Will he make another hire? With his current struggles, another coaching addition could be on the horizon.
Does Medvedev Have a Path Back to the Top?
At 28 years old, Medvedev is far from done—but his recent form dip is alarming.
- Dropped to World No.7—his lowest ranking in two years.
- Losing early in major events, something that was unheard of during his dominant hard-court runs in 2021-2023.
- Struggles against lower-ranked players—Bellucci’s win is a reminder that the younger generation is catching up.
However, Medvedev remains confident that he can bounce back, saying:
“If I drop out of the Top 100, then I don’t know, but this is probably not going to happen. And I’m pretty sure I can come back strong enough.”
The Reality Check: Medvedev Must Adapt to Stay at the Top
While Medvedev insists that retirement is off the table, his current trajectory is concerning. Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner are setting the pace at the top of the ATP rankings, and if Medvedev doesn’t find solutions soon, his place in the top tier of men’s tennis could be at risk.
For now, he’s still playing for the love of the game—and the paycheck. But unless he reverses his slump, the tough questions won’t stop coming.