Learning From Losing Is Fine, But Medvedev Prefers Winning
Could Almaty be the springboard to the second coming of Daniil Medvedev?
So far, so good.
The former world No.1 is once again blossoming under the tutelage of new coach Thomas Johansson and is rebuilding his confidence with the full support of the fans in Almaty this week.
Already into his 40th career ATP final (only one active player has reached more and it’s world-beating Novak Djokovic), Medvedev will look to put the finishing touches on a performance that – if successful – could mark the beginning of his transformation back to elite status on tour.
Though he has struggled often in 2025, and though he is without a title on tour in over two years, Medvedev is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The 2021 US Open champion (who has reached an additional five major finals) doesn’t deny that being the adopted son of the Kazakhstani fans is putting wind in his sails.
«The crowd was great and today it was pretty full, for sure the first set was not easy and the crowd support continued to get me going – they were great today,» Medvedev said after rallying against James Duckworth 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.
Perhaps it was the crowd support inside the 7,800 capacity Almaty Arena that helped Medvedev snap a six-match losing streak in hardcourt semifinals, as he moved into first place on the ATP’s list of hard court wins by players born after 1990 with 319.
«Every match here feels like a new challenge,» Medvedev said. «The crowd has been great, very supportive, and I enjoy playing in front of them. It’s my first time competing here, so I’m still getting familiar with everything, but overall, I’m happy with the way I fought and closed out the match.»
Though he has not met his own lofty expectations in 2025, particularly at the Grand Slams where he won just one match and lost four, Medvedev continues to believe in his abilities.
He doesn’t enjoy the losing, but he’s determined to take what he can from his struggles, and to emerge stronger through adversity.
«I would have preferred to have a great year, like the years before, but it’s all a part of life,» he said after Saturday’s win. «Every time I’m on court I try to win, and at one moment this season it was not working, I was not winning – now I’m happy that I managed to keep winning.»
Asked if the losses make him stronger, Medvedev admitted that he wishes he didn’t have to find out.
«For sure you try to learn from losses, but I do think it’s always better to win,» he said. «We do say that sometimes winning is good but losses make you stronger, I’m pretty sure Novak [Djokovic] feels great with 24 Grand Slams and he would feel worse if he won only ten and lost more.
«You have to continue moving forward, and that’s what I’m trying to do.»
On Sunday he will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the final as he tries to win his 21st ATP title and break a title drought that has lasted 29 months, dating all the way back to his title at Rome in 2023.
If he can do it, it could be the beginning of something big…
So far, so good.
The former world No.1 is once again blossoming under the tutelage of new coach Thomas Johansson and is rebuilding his confidence with the full support of the fans in Almaty this week.
Already into his 40th career ATP final (only one active player has reached more and it’s world-beating Novak Djokovic), Medvedev will look to put the finishing touches on a performance that – if successful – could mark the beginning of his transformation back to elite status on tour.
Though he has struggled often in 2025, and though he is without a title on tour in over two years, Medvedev is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The 2021 US Open champion (who has reached an additional five major finals) doesn’t deny that being the adopted son of the Kazakhstani fans is putting wind in his sails.
«The crowd was great and today it was pretty full, for sure the first set was not easy and the crowd support continued to get me going – they were great today,» Medvedev said after rallying against James Duckworth 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.
Perhaps it was the crowd support inside the 7,800 capacity Almaty Arena that helped Medvedev snap a six-match losing streak in hardcourt semifinals, as he moved into first place on the ATP’s list of hard court wins by players born after 1990 with 319.
«Every match here feels like a new challenge,» Medvedev said. «The crowd has been great, very supportive, and I enjoy playing in front of them. It’s my first time competing here, so I’m still getting familiar with everything, but overall, I’m happy with the way I fought and closed out the match.»
Though he has not met his own lofty expectations in 2025, particularly at the Grand Slams where he won just one match and lost four, Medvedev continues to believe in his abilities.
He doesn’t enjoy the losing, but he’s determined to take what he can from his struggles, and to emerge stronger through adversity.
«I would have preferred to have a great year, like the years before, but it’s all a part of life,» he said after Saturday’s win. «Every time I’m on court I try to win, and at one moment this season it was not working, I was not winning – now I’m happy that I managed to keep winning.»
Asked if the losses make him stronger, Medvedev admitted that he wishes he didn’t have to find out.
«For sure you try to learn from losses, but I do think it’s always better to win,» he said. «We do say that sometimes winning is good but losses make you stronger, I’m pretty sure Novak [Djokovic] feels great with 24 Grand Slams and he would feel worse if he won only ten and lost more.
«You have to continue moving forward, and that’s what I’m trying to do.»
On Sunday he will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the final as he tries to win his 21st ATP title and break a title drought that has lasted 29 months, dating all the way back to his title at Rome in 2023.
If he can do it, it could be the beginning of something big…
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24.11.2025
KTF press-service
14.11.2025
KTF press-service
