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“So it’s been the worst period since my injury the last few months,” Alexander Zverev admitted this April, reflecting bluntly on his struggles following his defeat at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Once a player who lit up courts with flair against the Big Three, Zverev has yet to show his full potential this year. Daniil Medvedev faces a similar crossroads, having once entered every tournament as a sure-shot contender, challenging legends like Nadal and Djokovic, and carving his own path with a Grand Slam victory. Yet, amid their current crises, Aussie ace Nick Kyrgios threw his support behind them, backing Medvedev and Zverev to end Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Grand Slam dominance in 2026.

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In a recent video posted by the official Instagram channel of the UTS Tour, Nick Kyrgios was asked to share three bold tennis predictions for 2026. The most striking call featured both Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev and their chances of capturing a Grand Slam next year. “Zverev or Medvedev is going to win a Grand Slam in 2026. I think that those two guys are going to be hungry,” Kyrgios confidently asserted.

He elaborated on the context, acknowledging the dominance of the current generation. “Obviously [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz are the juggernauts and the titans. But I think that Medvedev and Zverev are sick of them winning all the Grand Slams. So maybe one of those two,” he added. Medvedev, a six-time Grand Slam finalist, claimed his only major title at the 2021 US Open against Novak Djokovic, yet has struggled to consistently challenge for the crown since.

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The Russian’s struggles at the majors have been stark this season. Medvedev suffered three consecutive first-round exits following a second-round loss at the Australian Open, highlighting a form slump that has left fans questioning his once-indomitable presence on the tour. Confidence, he admitted, is a key factor. “I lack confidence totally and my physical condition fails me,” he said after his defeat in the Cincinnati Open final. 

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Zverev, meanwhile, has endured a similarly grueling campaign. The German remains winless in all three of his Grand Slam finals, including a heartbreaking loss to Sinner in this year’s Australian Open final. His disappointment at Roland Garros, exiting in the quarterfinals to Novak Djokovic, only added to the frustration. Yet, Kyrgios has consistently backed the German, emphasizing his belief in Zverev’s talent.

During an Instagram Live session in June, Kyrgios addressed Zverev directly. “I think Zverev can win a Grand Slam. I think he genuinely can. Man, tennis fans are the worst. Tennis media are the worst. Zverev can win a Grand Slam. He has been finals of the US Open and one set away. He has been finals of Roland Garros, one set away. This guy has been to finals of Grand Slams and then one set away. One set!” His words captured the frustration and near-misses that have defined Zverev’s major campaigns.

Even after being ousted by Arthur Rinderknech in the Round of 32 at the Shanghai Masters, Zverev was left speechless. Fans criticized his early exit and even questioned his remarks about court speed. Yet, for Zverev, external opinions matter little compared to his own performance. “My season has been terrible. I have no confidence in myself and I don’t believe in my shots. I’m playing awful tennis in every aspect,” he admitted.

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The German’s honesty underscored a broader truth about elite tennis: confidence drives form. For Medvedev, the decline was similarly tied to belief and fitness. While physical struggles compounded his poor results, his recent triumph in Almaty may signal that the veteran is finally finding his rhythm again.

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Despite their turbulent seasons, Kyrgios’ bold prediction reminds the tennis world of the potential lurking within these two stars. Hungry, frustrated, and determined, Medvedev and Zverev have both tasted finals, endured heartbreak, and faced the harsh scrutiny of fans and media alike. 

As 2026 looms, the question remains: will these seasoned warriors rise again to challenge the new titans, Sinner and Alcaraz, and reclaim their place among tennis royalty?

Daniil Medvedev ends title drought with Almaty Open triumph

Daniil Medvedev’s title drought is officially over. Eight hundred and eighty-two days after his last triumph in Rome, the 29-year-old returned to the winner’s circle at the Almaty Open on Sunday, defeating Frenchman Corentin Moutet, who was chasing his maiden tour-level crown. The victory was more than a title, it was a statement that Medvedev’s hunger and skill remain undiminished.

Since his 2023 victory in the Italian capital, Medvedev had endured heartbreak after heartbreak, falling short in finals at the US Open, Beijing, Vienna, Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Halle. Almaty, however, marked the end of those near-misses, allowing the former World No. 1 to finally taste glory once more. With the win, he became only the second active male player to claim 19 hard-court titles, joining Novak Djokovic (71).

The moment carried personal significance. “I want to thank my family, my beautiful wife, my two daughters. It is the first time I have been at a tournament with my two daughters and wife together, so to get a title is really nice,” Medvedev said during the trophy ceremony. He dedicated the victory to his second daughter, Victoria: “The first title I got when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her, so this one is for Victoria.”

The Almaty final was a test of nerves and precision. Medvedev navigated Moutet’s crafty game with poise, backing up his flat groundstrokes and closing out points with surgical accuracy. His hard-fought, two-hour, 29-minute 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory secured his 21st tour-level crown.

“It is great. I was not super happy with how I played in some moments of the match, but to win feels amazing. In the most important points I played good,” Medvedev reflected. “The last game was incredible and I am happy to win the title. It continues my funny story of 21 titles in 21 different cities.”

As the new season approaches, Medvedev isn’t alone in seeking momentum. Alexander Zverev, another seasoned contender, will join him at the Erste Bank Open, an ATP 500 tournament in Vienna, Austria. This year’s edition, running from 20-26 October, carries a prize money total of €2,736,875, promising both high stakes and high drama.

The big question now is whether these two veterans can channel their regained form and flair into a serious challenge for the throne before the next season. 

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