Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion and former world number one, suffered an unexpected early exit from Wimbledon 2025, falling to France’s Benjamin Bonzi in the first round. This defeat marks another disappointing Grand Slam performance for the Russian this year, following second-round and first-round exits at the Australian Open and French Open, respectively. This string of early losses contrasts sharply with Medvedev’s previous Wimbledon campaigns, where he reached the semi-finals in both 2023 and 2024, highlighting his recent struggles in major tournaments.
The match against Bonzi, ranked 64th in the world, proved a challenging encounter for Medvedev, who ultimately succumbed in four sets. Despite showing glimpses of his usual prowess, Medvedev couldn’t maintain consistency against the determined Frenchman, marking the first time in seven Wimbledon appearances that he failed to progress past the opening round. This early exit raises concerns about Medvedev’s current form and his ability to compete at the highest level, particularly given his past success at the prestigious grass-court tournament.
Despite the setback, Medvedev remained composed and expressed confidence in his ability to regain his form. He attributed the loss to the unpredictability of first-round matches, suggesting that his performance might have been different in later rounds. He pointed to his recent strong showing at the Halle grass-court tournament, where he reached the final, as evidence of his underlying potential. This performance, he argued, demonstrates that his game is still intact and requires only minor adjustments to return to winning ways.
Medvedev’s optimism stems from his belief that his struggles are primarily a matter of confidence and converting close matches into victories. He acknowledged that he has lost several tight contests this year, which has affected his ranking and overall momentum. However, he remains convinced that a few wins can shift the tide in his favor and propel him back up the rankings. The Halle final, where he lost to Alexander Bublik, served as a crucial confidence booster, convincing him that his game is still competitive against top players.
Medvedev’s frustration with his recent performance was evident in his on-court behavior, including slamming his racket against his chair. However, he emphasized that he was not “panicking” and viewed his current situation as a temporary setback rather than a long-term decline. He compared his current predicament to his earlier struggles at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where a quarter-final loss to Reilly Opelka had sparked concerns. However, his subsequent performance at Halle allayed those fears and reaffirmed his belief in his abilities.
Looking ahead, Medvedev remains focused on reclaiming his top form and improving his ranking. While he acknowledges the disappointment of his recent Grand Slam performances, he remains optimistic about his future prospects. He dismissed any significant concerns about his ranking, stating that he would only start worrying if he finished the year outside the top 15. This indicates his belief that he can turn things around and regain his position among the elite players in the world. He believes that with a few key wins and a renewed sense of confidence, he can recapture the form that propelled him to Grand Slam glory.
