Move Over Pitbull! Daniil Medvedev Becomes Tennis’ Real Mr. Worldwide

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 07:45 IST

Daniil Medvedev won the Brisbane International, claiming his 22nd career title in a 22nd unique city.

Daniil Medvedev (X)

Pitbull might want to make some room — tennis has a new Mr Worldwide, and his name is Daniil Medvedev.

World No. 13 Medvedev kicked off 2026 in style, slicing and scrambling his way to the Brisbane International title and adding yet another stamp to his ever-growing passport. The win wasn’t just silverware — it was history.

Brisbane became the 22nd different city in which Medvedev has lifted a trophy, meaning every one of his 22 career titles has come in a unique location across the globe.

All Of Medvedev’s Title Wins

1. Sydney
2. Winston-Salem
3. Tokyo
4. Sofia
5. Cincinnati
6. St. Petersburg
7. Shanghai
8. Paris
9. London
10. Marseille
11. Mallorca
12. Toronto
13. New York (US Open 2021 — his only major title win)
14. Los Cabos
15. Vienna
16. Rotterdam
17. Doha
18. Dubai
19. Miami
20. Rome
21. Almaty
22. Brisbane

No repeats. Just pure globetrotting excellence.

The Russian’s Brisbane triumph also nudges him up to world No. 12 and sends a timely message ahead of the Australian Open, where he has already finished runner-up three times (2021, 2022 and 2024). He may be seeded outside the elite, but Medvedev insists his game is trending sharply upward.

“I’ve been playing very good at the end of the season,” Medvedev said. “Six quarterfinals in my last seven tournaments, a lot of semis, two titles. When I play like this, not many guys can beat me.”

Brisbane marked his second title in three months after ending a two-year drought in Kazakhstan last October — a clear sign that the turbulence of 2025 may be behind him. Last season saw early exits at all four Grand Slams, including a shock second-round loss in Melbourne to teenager Learner Tien.

Since then, Medvedev has reshuffled his team, parting ways with long-time coach Gilles Cervara and linking up with former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke.

“Last year wasn’t easy,” he admitted. “It was turbulent. Changing the team helped.”

He may enter Melbourne as an underdog behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. But Medvedev believes he is right where he wants to be: on the move, in form, and hard to stop.

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