After a year marked by shifting gears, emotional swings, and flashes of brilliance, Daniil Medvedev has decided to skip next week’s ATP 250 event in Metz.
The Russian had requested a wild card after a strong showing at the Paris Masters, a run that had briefly kept his ATP Finals hopes alive.
Yet, tennis can be cruel in its margins. In Paris, Medvedev came agonisingly close to turning the tide of his season – holding two match points in a tense quarter-final against Alexander Zverev before succumbing 2-6, 6-3, 7-6. The loss not only ended his Paris campaign but also extinguished his chance to fight for a spot in Turin.
What followed, though, was a gesture that reflected Medvedev’s maturity and respect for the sport. Despite the heartbreak, he travelled to Metz, met with tournament director Julien Boutter, and personally explained his decision to withdraw – an act that spoke volumes about his professionalism.
The 2025 season has been one of transition for the former world No. 1. After parting ways with his long-time coach earlier in the year, Medvedev began a new chapter under Thomas Johansson. His season featured encouraging flashes – a semi-final run in Indian Wells, a quarter-final in Madrid, and a final appearance in Halle, where he fell to Alexander Bublik.
However, inconsistency at the Majors and a series of early exits dented his push to finish inside the top 10. A tough loss to Yibing Wu in Hangzhou marked another low, before Medvedev rediscovered his rhythm during the Asian swing, scoring two top-10 wins en route to semi-final finishes in Beijing and Shanghai.
His resilience finally paid off when he captured the title in Almaty, his first ATP crown since May 2023, signaling a welcome return to form. But a premature exit at the Vienna ATP 500 stalled his momentum once again.
In Paris, his battling spirit returned, with wins over Jaume Munar and Lorenzo Sonego before the dramatic loss to Zverev. And while the defeat cost him a spot at the year-end Finals, it offered a glimpse of the sharp, tactical Medvedev that fans have long admired.
As he closes the curtain on a turbulent but redeeming season, Medvedev can take solace in his late surge and the belief that a stronger 2026 lies ahead – one built not just on talent, but on resilience, reflection, and renewed fire.