Medvedev parts ways with his veteran coach: The end of an era and the start of a high-stakes gamble

After a grueling five-set loss in the first round of the US Open, Medvedev slammed his racket against the ground 23 times, as if signaling the final chapter of his eight-year partnership with coach Sevara. The racket was twisted beyond repair, marking the shattering of a legendary coach-player relationship that had built a dominant hard-court dynasty.

On August 31, 2025, Medvedev posted a heartfelt farewell letter on social media, announcing the end of his collaboration with coach Gilles Sevara, which lasted 8 to 10 years. “Thank you, Gilles ❤️ for an incredible 8-10 years together, 20 titles, world No.1 ranking, but most importantly countless joyful moments and memories that will last forever.”

Sevara’s response was equally warm: “It feels like a symbolic sign of life itself. After this US Open, our partnership comes to an end. I will always remember your unique and unconventional magic as a player.”

Behind these tender words lies the harsh reality of the 2025 season’s collapse: three first-round exits in Grand Slams, early losses in North American Masters events, and frequent emotional breakdowns on court. The warm farewell letter ultimately cannot conceal the cold truth of competitive sports — where only winners survive.

Looking back to their collaboration starting in 2015, Sevara and Medvedev built an impressive men’s tennis “hard-court dynasty”:

· 20 ATP titles, including the 2021 US Open championship

· Reached world No. 1 in February 2022, holding the spot for 16 weeks

· Competed in 6 Grand Slam finals

· Multiple classic victories over the “Big Three”

Sevara’s sharp tactical insight transformed Medvedev’s seemingly awkward yet highly effective playing style into a weapon that troubled opponents. His words, “I loved training you, coaching you, supporting you (even in tough times),” reveal the core of their partnership — not only refining technique and tactics but also building mental resilience.

This season’s dramatic decline exposed deep-rooted issues for Medvedev:

Physical decline: At 29, Medvedev showed clear signs of physical exhaustion during the hot North American swing, even requiring extreme recovery methods like “head cooling in ice boxes.” His court coverage and baseline dominance have noticeably diminished compared to his peak.

Frequent emotional breakdowns: In 2025, he was repeatedly penalized for racket smashing and verbal abuse towards referees, earning the media label of “tennis’s madman.” During the US Open first round against Bonzi, he incited a six-minute crowd disturbance and smashed his racket 23 times post-match, signaling a near collapse of his mental defenses.

Tactical rigidity: Opponents have fully adapted to his style, especially exploiting his backhand crosscourt movement and net play. The once-successful tactical system crafted by Sevara has become ineffective against the new generation of players.

Medvedev’s team also announced the departure of fitness coach Eric, with only the physiotherapist remaining. This decision signals a comprehensive and thorough overhaul is underway.

The coaching change reflects a brutal reality in professional tennis: when a partnership’s marginal benefits turn negative, even the most successful duos face inevitable splits. Sevara hinted at this in his farewell letter: “The journey continues, and work and results call upon each of us...”

The China season following the US Open will be a crucial test for Medvedev’s career. He has achieved great success in these tournaments before, but if he cannot reignite his fighting spirit and regain form during this period, a return to the world top ten will be highly unlikely.

The split between Medvedev and Sevara reveals the dual nature of professional sports: warm tributes between veteran partners, alongside ruthless decisions driven by declining results. This coach-player duo journeyed from obscurity to the pinnacle but ultimately could not escape the iron rule of “results speak” in professional sports.

Sevara’s parting blessing: “I wish you achieve all your aspirations as a player in the future.” This may be exactly the motivation Medvedev needs right now. In elite sports, every ending marks a new beginning, and every high-risk gamble could lead to a rebirth.

The shattered racket on the US Open court is both a fragment marking the end of an era and potentially the raw material for reforging a comeback weapon. At 29, Medvedev stands at a crossroads in his career; his choices will determine whether these fragments are swept into history or melted down into the tool for his return.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)