It was legitimate to expect much more from the collaboration between Daniil Medvedev and Gilles Simon. The former French ace seemed very suitable for the role of coach after a career in which he was able to enhance his skills as best he could, although he did not have the power from the baseline and the imposing physique that characterizes most current players.
Daniil and Gilles had started working together before the 2024 season and their partnership had immediately produced a prestigious result – the final at the 2024 Australian Open – in which the Russian ace had surprised Jannik Sinner by two sets using a very different tactic than usual.
Due to the energy wasted in the previous rounds, the former world number 1 had lowered his level in the second part of the match allowing the Italian champion to prevail in the fifth set after a beautiful battle on the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
Since then, the player from Moscow has entered a downward spiral from which he has not yet recovered and has not won a single title in 2024.
Simon also helped him during the pre-season and was in his box at the 2025 Australian Open, in which Medvedev was eliminated already in the second round by 19-year-old American Learner Tien in a match that revealed all his current difficulties.
Medvedev on Simon
Shortly before the start of the Rotterdam ATP 500 – in which the Russian again disappointed expectations – Daniil announced the end of his collaboration with Simon without explaining exactly the reasons.
Speaking to Rémi Bourrieres during the Marseille ATP 250, the former world No.1 revealed the reasons behind this separation: “Gilles has always had very bright ideas and I’m happy to have worked with him. The truth is that we were very different on some points and this prevented us from getting completely in tune, which is fundamental between a player and a coach.
For this reason, we have decided to end our collaboration.”
The Russian ace is working with his long-time coach Gilles Cervara right now and hopes to finally get out of the crisis he has been going through for several months.
Tennis World USA