Medvedev explains how coaching change is ‘working great’ — a human reset behind the results
On the hard courts of Indian Wells, medvedev walked off after a quarter-final win and spoke plainly about a quieter revolution behind his tennis: a breakup with a long-term coach, fresh voices in the team and a string of early-season titles that have changed the shape of his year.
How is Medvedev’s coaching change working?
Daniil Medvedev, the current world No 11, described the shift in his coaching setup as “different” but “working great. ” He explained that the end of a long partnership with Giles Cevrara in August 2025 — a relationship that began in 2017 and accompanied him to world No 1 and 20 titles — created space for new perspectives.
Medvedev named former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke as his new coaches. “Like, it’s a different person from a different country. He was a player before, so sometimes we could, you know, even after the match, discuss, like, maybe how he felt when he was playing these matches in these stages, et cetera, ” Medvedev said. “So it’s just different. At this time of last year when I decided to do it, I needed this different, and it’s been working great. Thomas is a great coach. Rohan, as well. So just working, and trying our best. ”
What changed on court and in results?
The change in personnel has coincided with tangible results: Medvedev began 2026 with titles in Brisbane and Dubai, and his run at Indian Wells reached the semi-final stage after the win over Jack Draper. “I feel like I’m playing great, very good tennis. I never want to jump into conclusions like best tennis of my life or whatever. I’m playing very good, ” he said following the Draper match.
Medvedev’s comments also acknowledged the level of the next challenge: he will face Carlos Alcaraz, the world No 1, in the semi-final, and called Alcaraz “the toughest opponent we have right now, him and Jannik, maybe a bit debatable who is the toughest. ” He said the court conditions felt quicker compared with previous meetings and that he would need to show his “absolute best” to win.
Jack Draper, Medvedev’s quarter-final opponent, offered a brief, human aside about disruption around the tournament: “I stayed in one of the hotels where something happened, so we had to evacuate at night with my wife. ” Draper added, “I don’t think it distracted you enough. That’s what I’m saying. ”
Who is acting and what comes next?
The response to a mid-career coaching change has been practical: new coaches have been integrated into an existing team and Medvedev’s results so far have reinforced the decision. Thomas Johansson brings Grand Slam champion experience as a former Australian Open winner, while Rohan Goetzke joins as part of the new technical staff. Medvedev’s team plan has produced early titles and a deep run at Indian Wells.
On the tournament calendar, Medvedev, Rublev, and Khachanov will all return to action on Saturday, extending the ripple effects of team changes and match outcomes across their draws. For Medvedev, the immediate task is to meet a formidably ranked opponent and translate the new coaching input into the on-court clarity he described.
Back where the story began, the image endures: after a hard-fought quarter-final at Indian Wells, Medvedev paused beside his new coaches, speaking about change not as drama but as a practical reset — a different point of view, tested already by titles and now by a semi-final date with the world No 1. The reset has so far been “working great”; whether it delivers the biggest wins still depends on the next match and the moments he will need to make them count.
