Daniil Medvedev expresses great optimism about his partnership with the “astute” Gilles Simon, believing that the retired French tennis star can assist him in enhancing aspects of his game that may need improvement.
This week, it was revealed that Medvedev, aged 28, has enlisted the services of 39-year-old Simon, who retired from professional tennis following the 2022 season. Initially, the news garnered interest and amusement from many, given the frequent comparisons between Medvedev’s playing style and Simon’s.
Medvedev, ranked fourth in the world, confirmed the news to Tennis Majors and emphasized his hope for a long-term collaboration. According to the report, Medvedev and former world number six Simon met after the Australian Open and opted to officially announce their partnership after a successful trial period. Their debut tournament together will be in Dubai next week.
Regarding Medvedev’s existing coach, Gilles Cervara, there will be no changes as he remains a pivotal figure in the Russian’s coaching team.
Medvedev commented on hiring Simon, stating, “We see how it goes. So far it has been going well. Hopefully, it will be for a very long time, but that depends on various factors. We will see how much time he spends with us.” He added, “For sure, Gilles Cervara will be with me more than Gilles Simon. That’s how it has been, and that’s how it will be. We will see what the future holds in terms of the duration of his involvement.”
Medvedev expressed his expectations of Simon, describing him as a very astute player who can help him enhance his game, particularly in areas where he may be lacking. He concluded, “So far, it’s been going well.”
Despite experiencing a decline in his final seasons on the Tour, Simon still emerged victorious in three out of four encounters against Medvedev. After conceding defeat to Simon in their initial three matches, Medvedev secured his first victory over Simon on the grass courts of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2022, sealing a 7-5 6-4 win.
Now, with Simon retired from professional play, he is embarking on his first coaching role on the Tour, partnering with Medvedev.
