World no. 13 Daniil Medvedev will kick off the 2026 season at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane. The Russian competed in Brisbane once, losing the 2019 final to Kei Nishikori and deciding to return to the prestigious event in five weeks.
Medvedev is enjoying his time off the court with his family, recharging batteries following a strong finish to the 2025 season. The former Major champion parted ways with Gilles Cervara after many years.
He changed his coaching staff and provided fine run in the closing stages of the season. Daniil claimed one ATP title in 2025, hoping to mirror that feat at the start of the new season.
"I suffer at many tournaments, but here everyone suffers .. I'm happy about it." 🥵
Daniil Medvedev offering a unique perspective in Shanghai 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FlO5sB5Kh9
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 6, 2025
Medvedev will kick off the season before the Australian Open for the first time since 2023 when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Adelaide 1 event. The Russian will enter another pre-Australian Open tournament at the beginning of the new campaign.
He returns to Brisbane, where he stood a set away from lifting a trophy in 2019. Daniil entered the draw as the 2nd seed and bested Andy Murray, Milos Raonic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the title clash.
Medvedev faced Kei Nishikori and fell 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in two hours and ten minutes, with the Japanese celebrating his first ATP trophy since Memphis in 2016. It was their third meeting, and Kei celebrated for the second time.
Nishikori denied three of six break points and grabbed 46% of the return points for five return games from 15 opportunities. Kei made a reliable start and generated eight break points in the second set, looking good to seal the deal.
Daniil Medvedev, Brisbane International 2019© X – Brisbane International
However, Daniil denied them and seized his only opportunity to deliver a crucial break and prolong a battle. Still, the more experienced player provided three breaks in the final set to control the scoreboard and move over the top.
The Russian seized the fourth break point in the second game of the duel and denied a break chance in the next one to cement the advantage. The younger player lost the lead after a forehand error in game five.
Nishikori gained a boost and provided another break in game seven with a forehand winner. The former finalist served for the opener at 5-4 and held at love with a backhand crosscourt winner to move closer to the title.
With no room for errors in the second set, Daniil confronted eight break points. He saved three in the first game and four more at 2-2 to remain on the positive side and fight.
Nishikori wasted another break point at 3-3 and suffered a break after Medvedev's backhand down the line winner in the next one. The Russian fired four winners at 5-3 to wrap up the set in style and force a decider.
Kei made a fresh start and secured a break in the fourth game of the final set with a forced error. He landed a service winner in the next one for 4-1 and broke the young gun again a few minutes later to open a massive lead.
Returning at 1-5, Daniil pulled one break back at love and extended the battle. However, it was all we saw from him after suffering a break at love at 2-5, with Nishikori cracking a backhand winner for his first ATP title in nearly three years.
