Daniil Medvedev is the fiery showman of tennis. Fans know his crafty tactics, his fierce rants, and his famous racket smashes. Passion drives every point. Who could forget the net camera he smashed at the 2025 Australian Open? Or how he stirred up the US Open crowd when the umpire handed Benjamin Bonzi a first serve back? That’s pure Medvedev. Back in 2019, he admitted, “I lost a lot of matches in my career when I was getting crazy. You never know, when you lose a match, [whether it is] because you lost it or because you get crazy and lose concentration. You can never be sure.” Six years later, the question lingers: what would he say now?

On Friday, Daniil made a strong debut at the China Open by beating Cameron Norrie in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. This one must have tasted good. The last time they met was French Open first round, where Norrie took him down in a five-set battle. For Medvedev, who’s had a tough season, this win is definitely a step in the right direction.

Asked about his complicated season in the press conference, Daniil offered one of his trademark answers and got candid. “Yes, I mean, what’s beautiful about tennis, what’s difficult about this sport, and sorry, I go a bit far, I sometimes act a bit crazy on the court. A lot of fans come to see me in France or Monaco,” He said recalling:

“They say to me: ‘Listen, I’m like you, I’m calm. In life, I’m calm. On the road, I’m calm. It doesn’t matter. I argue with my wife, I’m calm. And as soon as I go to play tennis, I go crazy, I go crazy.’ Tennis can make you crazy.” He’s not wrong.

Tennis isn’t just about athletic talent. It’s a test of the mind. The isolation makes it brutal. Unlike in team sports, there’s no one to share the stage or pressure. Players are out there alone, no clock to run things down, no teammates for backup. Momentum can change in a flash. Every point feels massive. You must master your shots, but your emotions, too. Often, it’s composure, not forehands or serves, that settles a match.

Few players know that better than Daniil Medvedev. As he admitted: “It makes me crazy because you don’t know. People ask me why I had a bad year? I don’t have the exact answer. It could be my second daughter. It could be my relationship with Gilles (Cervara, her former coach). It could be because I’ve grown up and started to think more than I did when I was younger. It could just be bad luck, or maybe I just wasn’t feeling well somewhere. You never know.”

This year has been full for the Russian. In January, he announced the birth of his second child. That alone can add weight to his shoulders. He hasn’t lifted a trophy since Rome 2023. He did make the final in Halle this season, but titles have slipped out of reach.

After his US Open exit, the former World No.1 even shook up his team. Rohan Goetzke and Thomas Johansson stepped in for his longtime coach, Gilles Cervara, who had been with him since 2017. Trainer Eric Hernandez, part of his setup since 2014, also parted ways. Will these changes pay off? Time will tell. For now, Medvedev sounds hopeful.

Daniil Medvedev feels positive about his journey ahead

Medvedev opened his Beijing Open campaign with a bang, brushing past Britain’s No. 2 Cameron Norrie. After the match, he faced the familiar question: “You’ve said to us that in practice you produced top 5 level tennis at times. How much of that was in evidence today?” Daniil stayed honest. “Not completely, but I played not bad. I served pretty well except a couple of games. Same on the return. I had a lot of chances to break. I think I deserved to win in terms of the game plan and the stats. I’m happy to go through.”

The Russian laid down the pressure from the start. He broke Norrie five times in just 75 minutes, firing nine aces and sealing his spot in the last 16. Revenge couldn’t taste better, just four months ago at Roland Garros, Norrie had caught him cold and sent him packing in round one.

This time, Daniil Medvedev zeroed in on the forehand and never gave an inch, turning the rematch into a statement win. He’s still on the lookout for his next title, and Daniil is up for the challenge: “I can play much, much better than that. But the way back is step by step. Today was a small step forward.”

Next up in Beijing is Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a tricky test but one Daniil seems fired up for. With new coaches in his box and momentum finally clicking, the Russian swings forward. Another win would book him a quarterfinal ticket at the China Open. Can he do it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!