Major Talk #16 – Gilles Cervara, being on a rope with TNT in the hands
In the latest episode of Major Talk, Cervara delves deep into the dynamics of Medvedev’s personality and their working relationship, and talks about his own journey from being an aspiring player to becoming an elite coach
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
