Daniil Medvedev walked into Brisbane with calm confidence but walked out with history. Under the blazing Australian sun, the former world number one not only clinched his 22nd career title but also rewrote a page of tennis history no one had touched before. And as he held the trophy aloft, he fired off a playful yet pointed plea to the ATP:

“Dear @atptour…..can you please add more cities?  I am running out….😂😉,” he tweeted. A champion with a unique problem - Medvedev is winning too often, in too many places, without ever repeating anywhere. With his latest title triumph at the Brisbane International, Medvedev has now become the only player in ATP history to win 22 career titles in 2022 in different cities. 

On a sunlit Sunday in Brisbane, Daniil Medvedev delivered a commanding 6-2, 7-6(1) victory over Brando Nakashima, securing his 22nd tour-level title and reinforcing the fact that he has started 2026 with an unshakable stride, now standing at 5-0 for the season. Among the 48 players who have crossed the 20-title mark in the Open Era, Medvedev is the only one who has never repeated a tournament victory. 

With this win, he has now also joined an elite list of players to win both the Brisbane and the now-defunct Sydney International titles, alongside Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer. What did he say after accomplishing this historic triumph in Brisbane, though?

Daniil Medvedev dedicates his Brisbane International triumph to his family

Daniil Medvedev’s 22nd career title wasn’t just another line in the record books. It was a gift, a tribute, and it turned out to be a birthday present to his youngest daughter thousands of miles away. This title triumph in Brisbane has also solidified his place among the tennis elite as the third active player to earn 20 or more tour-level hard court titles, a distinguished club that includes only Novak Djokovic (72) and Jannik Sinner (21).

While sharing his thoughts about this win in his post-match interview, he said, “I want to dedicate this to my family. They couldn’t make it to Australia; it is a bit too far, guys, about 23 hours from where I live, and with two young kids, it is not easy. I decided to play this tournament, and we thought we would be coming all together, but we stuck to the decision, and my daughter had a birthday when I was here, so I dedicate it to her first birthday. This [trophy] is a bit too heavy for her, though.”

His words were heartfelt and sincere - a glimpse into the balancing act of parenthood and professional sport. Moments later, that sentiment found its way onto social media through his wife, Daria. On IG, she shared a story that melted fans’ hearts, writing:

“Vika got quite an amazing present for her first birthday, Dad won her a trophy 🥹🩷🏆 (face holding back tears, pink heart, trophy emoticons) ❤️.”

In victory, Daniil Medvedev also made sure to acknowledge the man across the net. Brandon Nakashima, who entered the final without dropping a set, pushed the match to its limits, especially late in the second set. “I started really strong, but then Brandon found his way back, and the way you fought in the end, saved the match points, and then almost got it to the third set.”

The hard-court specialist is gaining momentum at the perfect time, heading into Melbourne with confidence, rhythm, and motivation rooted not just in competition, but in family. He has reached the finals of the AO thrice (2021, 2022, 2024). Can he now win the title in Melbourne and make it 23 titles in 23 different cities?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more