Fancy Your Chances! Daniil Medvedev Relishing Underdog Tag Ahead Of Australian Open

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 13:20 IST

The in-form Medvedev will be considered an underdog at the year's opening Grand Slam in Melbourne, but the Russian opined that he relishes his underdog status a the Happy Slam.

Daniil Medvedev. (Credit: AP)

Daniil Medvedev will be considered an underdog at the year’s opening Grand Slam, but the Russian has warned that he will be difficult to defeat given his current form.

Medvedev is expected to rise to number 12 in the rankings after warming up for another attempt at the Melbourne Park title by winning the Brisbane International on Sunday.

This victory marks his second tournament win in three months, following his first title in two years, which he secured in Kazakhstan in October.

“I have certainly been playing very well at the end of the season. I think I made it to the quarterfinals in six out of the last seven tournaments, many of them semifinals, with two titles," he said.

“So I’m happy with the way I’m playing, and I know that when I’m playing well, there are not many players who can beat me easily or at all."

Medvedev, who reached the Australian Open final in 2021, 2022, and 2024, will be an underdog in Melbourne, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz being overwhelming favourites.

“If we look at the long run, I am certainly the underdog because it’s been a while since I’ve reached the later stages of a Grand Slam. I’m outside of the top 10," he said.

Last year, Medvedev lost in the Australian Open second round to 19-year-old Learner Tien in a gruelling five-set match, followed by first-round exits at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and Flushing Meadows.

Since then, he has split with his long-time coach Gilles Cervara and started working with former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke. “Last year was not easy," he said. “It was a bit turbulent, and changing the team helped, so I’m happy with it."

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