Major Talk #16 – Gilles Cervara, being on a rope with TNT in the hands

Gilles Cervara has become one of the most recognised coaches in the tennis world today, thanks to his work with the enigmatic Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion and former world No 1.

After climbing to the pinnacle of the sport last year, the pair had a disappointing latter half of 2022. The Frenc coach and Russian player are set to kick off their 2023 Grand Slam season at next week’s Australian Open with hopes of adding a second Major title to their resume.

In the latest episode of Major Talk, Cervara tells Alize Lim about how working with Medvedev makes him always feel on the edge not knowing what to expect, delves deep into the dynamics of the Russian’s personality and their working relationship and talks about his own journey from being an aspiring player to becoming an elite coach.

KEY MOMENTS OF MAJOR TALK WITH GILLES CERVARA
0:47 – Cervara on the entire team that works with Medvedev
1:25 – On the role of the sports scientist in Medvedev’s team
2:35 – Getting Medvedev as close as possible to match situations during practice/ training
5:50 – Their goals as a team for the 2023 season
7:15 – The balance between reinforcing a player’s strengths and improving their weaknesses
8:31 – On his coaching style and the dynamic of his working relationship with Medvedev
14:52 – Building up Medvedev’s team since becoming his full-time coach in 2017
18:18 – His experience watching matches courtside and leaving the stands at times during matches
20:04 – Medvedev’s reactions to his leaving the stands
20:52 – Leaving the stands in Veinna during the trophy presentation ceremony
21:51 – Getting a mental coach into the Medvedev camp
25:40 – On Medvedev’s volatile side
33:24 – The possibility of coaching other players in the future
33:35 – His transition to a coach
40:00 – Dealing with success and fame