Daniil Medvedev took to the court in Rotterdam on 14 February seemingly in the most difficult period of his career as a top player. Having not won a big tournament through the 2022 season, he was pushed from the top 10 for the first time in three years by an early defeat at the Australian Open. He felt he was doing all the right things on and off the court, yet nothing was working. His confidence was shot.
As Medvedev fell a set down during his opening match in Rotterdam his coach, Gilles Cervara, responded to his frustration with a simple command: “Keep going.” Medvedev listened, recovering from a set down to win that match and to use it as his catchphrase as he gradually embarked on one of the most impressive runs in recent years.
