Former tennis world No.1 Daniil Medvedev announces ‘mutual’ split from coach Gilles Simon

Former tennis world No.1 Daniil Medvedev and assistant coach Gilles Simon have “mutually decided” to part ways after a year together.

Medvedev arrived at this week’s Rotterdam Open with a revised coaching team after confirmation that Simon had been let go.

“Hey guys, Gilles Simon and I mutually decided to stop working together,” the Russian said.

“I am really thankful for everything that he brought to the team.

“We will absolutely stay friends and wish him nothing but the best.”

Given his status as a former world No.1 and US Open champion, Medvedev’s title drought during his 12 months with Simon was a clear failure.

But Medvedev insists his partnership with former world No.6 Simon “honestly was a good experience”.

“There were a lot of good things me and (head coach) Gilles Cervara can take going forward. It just didn’t work out exactly the way we wanted in terms of results,” he said at a press conference in Rotterdam.

“We didn’t win a title or grand slam or something like this. But I learned a lot of new things about tennis and it gave me a new perspective on tennis and I’m sure it’s going to help me in the future.

“We will see how it will work out for both of us. We remain with good feelings but we’re not working together anymore.”

Cervara remains head coach as Medvedev attempts to climb back into the top rankings on the ATP tour.

Currently ranked seventh in the world, Medvedev holds a narrow 45-point lead over Australia Alex de Minaur who has rattled out a statement of intent for 2025, both on and off court.

The Australian No.1, who broke into the world top 10 while reaching the last eight in each of the last four grand slams, says he has laid “a magnificent foundation” for further successes.

The 25-year-old underlined his intentions with a straightforward, and at times brilliant, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Belgium’s David Goffin at the Rotterdam Open, where he is aiming to go one better than last year’s runner-up position.

Talking before his opening match in the Dutch city, de Minaur said: “I feel I have taken many steps in the right direction during this past year. I am a better tennis player, having shown the necessary consistency to reach the quarter-finals in all four grand slams.

“It is a magnificent foundation upon which to keep building. My main goal this season is to avoid injuries and keep progressing. I don’t think I have reached my limit yet. I want more.”

De Minaur’s progress last year was hampered by a hip injury that forced him out of Wimbledon and affected him through the rest of the season.

“Last year, a lot of stuff happened. I was injured for a lot of the year and I still managed to achieve some great results. The goal this year is to stay healthy and have that same trajectory.”

- With AAP