Daniil Medvedev has finally snapped his Grand Slam losing streak, claiming a hard-fought first-round victory at the Australian Open 2026. The Russian, known for his fiery temper on court, defeated Dutchman Jesper de Jong 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) at Margaret Court Arena, ending a 370-day wait for a major win.

Medvedev’s triumph was a major relief after a turbulent 2025, which saw him suffer early exits at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, coupled with high-profile on-court outbursts, including a net camera smash in New York.

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Medvedev Focuses on Positivity and Mental Reset

Following last year’s struggles, Medvedev has committed to a more positive mindset on court, aiming to channel the mental strength he applies in life into his tennis game.

“So far I’m doing it well,” Medvedev said after his win.
“We don’t know what’s coming, but just trying to be positive on the court as I am in life.”

At 29, the former world number one admits that his challenges last year were more mental than physical. He struggled with confidence in key shots, which led to tension and frustration during matches.

“In my tennis, I was not feeling great at times,” Medvedev said.
“It’s not easy when your backhand or serve isn’t working as it should. Mentally, you start pushing yourself and get tense during matches.”

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Changes to Coaching Team Paying Dividends

After his disappointing first-round exit at the 2025 US Open, Medvedev ended his eight-year partnership with long-time coach Gilles Cervara. He has since added Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke to his team—a combination that has already borne fruit, as he has won two titles this season, including the Brisbane International.

“I’m feeling great with my new team, so I don’t really go too much into the past,” he added.

The victory over De Jong was not straightforward. Medvedev, the 11th seed, twice failed to serve out the match before finally sealing the win after nearly three hours on court.

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Medvedev Advances to Round Two

Next, Medvedev will face Quentin Halys of France in the second round of the Australian Open 2026. With this victory, he has already improved his season record to 6-0, demonstrating early momentum and renewed confidence.

Other notable results from Monday include Andrey Rublev, who progressed with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. However, British number three Jacob Fearnley fell in a four-set battle to Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, during which Fearnley suffered a hip injury after an awkward fall.

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Medvedev’s Career and Melbourne History

Daniil Medvedev, 2021 US Open champion and three-time Australian Open runner-up, has endured an up-and-down career marked by brilliance and fiery outbursts. While his ranking fluctuated last year—starting 2025 as world number five and dropping to 18th—he has shown he remains a major threat on hard courts.

“What happened last year happened, and it’s OK. It’s part of my career, part of life,” Medvedev said.
“I managed to finish the year around 12 or 13, which is great for many players. Of course, I was not happy, but now it’s behind me.”

With the curtain rising on Australian Open 2026, Medvedev looks determined to combine his refined mental approach with his elite skills to go deep in the tournament.

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Key Facts: Daniil Medvedev at Australian Open 2026

• Age: 29
• Opponent (Round 1): Jesper de Jong (Netherlands) – Win 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)
• Seeding: 11th
• Next Match: Quentin Halys (France) – Round 2
• Recent Titles: Brisbane International 2026, Almaty Open 2025