Daniil Medvedev targets season revival at Montreal Masters 1000

Russian world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev entered the Canadian Open in Montreal seeking to halt a slump that began after a promising start to the 2025 season. He said the hard‑court swing – Montreal, Cincinnati and the US Open – suits his game and he enjoys the faster surface. Medvedev also addressed recent knee‑taping experiments, noting the tape increased discomfort and will not be used again.

The tournament follows his split with coach Thomas Johansson, a partnership that began in September 2025 and ended after a disappointing Wimbledon third‑round loss. Medvedev described the separation as amicable and said he remains grateful for Johansson’s contributions.

Four Italian players – Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Lorenzo Sonego and Mattia Bellucci – also featured in the opening day’s draw, highlighting the event’s international field. Canadian star Felix Auger‑Aliassime commented on the absence of Jannik Sinner and other top players, noting ongoing ATP discussions about rules to prevent players from skipping the same Masters 1000 tournament in consecutive years.

Medvedev emphasized no lingering resentment toward his former coach and expressed optimism about his health and performance as the North‑American hard‑court season begins.