“During the match, I don’t really see how a coach can help like in some other sports, where tactics are so important,” Daniil Medvedev once said about on-court coaching in tennis. Further reflecting on the idea, he admitted that sometimes it can be “a game changer.” But that was not the case during his Laver Cup opening round in Berlin, where he fell short against Frances Tiafoe. However, it might have sparked an unexpected epiphany in the 2021 US Open winner, who seemed to now have made up his mind about on-court coaching!

Since 2017, it is Gilles Cervara who has been coaching Daniil Medvedev and he even helped him win his first ATP Tour title in 2018. Cervara once admitted, “I know Daniil, I know how it works with him.” But the scenario is quite different in the Laver Cup, where players team up to fight together and where Medvedev represents Team Europe. Unfortunately, in his latest singles match, the 28-year-old lost to Tiafoe by 3-6, 6-4, 10-5. 

During the post-match conference at the event, Medvedev reflected on the intense atmosphere during the match and how it affected his gameplay. “When you’re sitting on the bench and there are five guys coming up around you, all jammer in your ear. Is it more uplifting or is it more distracting?” asked the reporter.

Medvedev, known for his aggressive behavior on-court, added, “It can distract sometimes. I am very into myself during the matches I don’t need coaching etc.” Talking about coaching, surprisingly, Medvedev’s experience at the Laver Cup was a bit different. “But here now it was honestly good energy and I think some of the things they said were like good things and I tried to do it and it just didn’t work out. But actually if I have one more chance I will be looking forward for more advice.”

The Russian pro further opened up on the perfect balance of coaching that he received during the match against Tiafoe, saying, “They were like when I was winning they were not going too much. As soon as I started to get tough, they were going a bit more. So, it felt like good coaching.” Per Medvedev, the best advice that he got was from Grigor Dimitrov, who passed the first round in the Laver Cup on September 20. “I would say from Grigor, the first serve on the tie-breaker, I said where do I go, he said let’s go with this one.”

However, a couple of years ago, Medvedev’s views on on-court coaching were slightly different, as he himself stated that even with the introduction of that system, “nothing” would change for the players. The Russian might not need coaching during a match, but his coach is always there to help him. Cervara previously shed light on the special bond that he shares with Daniil Medvedev.

“We have a good bond and one goal,” Daniil Medvedev’s coach once said

Under Cervara’s guidance, Daniil Medvedev has earned 20 ATP singles titles and once even reached the No. 1 ranking! But their picture-perfect relationship hit a roadblock in 2021 when, during a match in Melbourne, his coach left the box after Medvedev screamed at him during the match against Filip Krajinovic. “He said just before leaving that he’s sure I’m going to win the match, but he’s going to leave to let me be more calm,” Medvedev said after the match.

However, per Cervara, they have a “good connection.” To him, “It’s not about talking, it’s sometimes just a look to convey energy and emotion.” He further shed light on the difference in priorities on certain matters regarding Daniil’s match, adding, “I work on my coaching to develop my skills, as Daniil does with his tennis. Both are different approaches to the sport, but we have a good bond and one goal. I want him to realize his potential and have the best career he can.”

Medvedev’s Laver Cup experience might have instilled a newfound appreciation in him for collaborative coaching. And hopefully, his willingness to adapt and embrace teamwork may inspire others to follow suit as well.