Jakub Mensik first emerged as a force to be reckoned with at US Open qualies in a first round duel with Fabio Fognini.
The 36 year old Italian Stallion was desperate to revive his faltering career with a good run in New York and got off to a favorable start by dominating the 17 year old Czech 61. I watched the match live from the side bleacher and was impressed by Fognini’s apparent superiority. It was almost easy.
The kid never lost composure though, never showed frustration or immaturity. Then in the second set somehow the unknown teenager turned the tables and totally dominated Fognini 61 and then another destruction in the deciding third set 61.
I never really understood how and why Mensik turned the match around, though it happened right before my eyes. He didn’t really change tactics noticeably, he just locked in and stopped missing. As if he pushed a button for another gear which Fognini didn’t have. Mensik solved the Fognini puzzle – he had played Fog once before earlier that year in Zug QF, losing 64 62 on clay.
Last year Mensik played Fognini again in Mallorca on grass and prevailed 46 63 75.
A year and a half later Mensik is in the finals of the Miami Open 1000, and about to crack the top 30 in the rankings. The 37 year old Fognini is ranked 97 and trying to grind his way back for one last hurrah in Challengers. He lost this week 1R at Naples Challenger to Onclin 36 64 57. He lost last week in Dominican Republic R16 to Lestienne 36 46.
Mensik has been sensational this week in Miami, taking out Agut, Draper, Safiullin, Machac (by walkover), Fils, Fritz and now will face Djokovic in the final tomorrow.
Mensik hits like a heavyweight, flows like a figure skater, he almost plays like a blend of Djokovic, Safin, with an unplayable serve when it’s hitting the targets.
With is backwards cap, Mensik, normally calm and composed like Pete Sampras, also has an element of fire and fury like Lleyton Hewitt which he expresses with colorful celebrations after the exciting victory.
There’s nothing not to like about this future king, who is still in his young prince stage of evolution. But its just a matter of time before Mensik achieves his marks in tennis history.
Jakub Mensik Biofile interview with Scoop at Newport Hall of Fame Championships 2024.
(Photo credit: Miami Open Presented by Itau.)
adidas · Czech Republic · Jakub Mensik · Miami Open · Wilson
Matt Segel · March 31, 2025 at 8:58 am
I remember that article! He is the third wheel in the Sinner Alcaraz Duopoly, don’t think the ATP lives him.
Scoop Malinowski · March 31, 2025 at 9:41 am
Well Matt, the ATP is going to have to like him or else Nolefam and Mensikfam will be called to action ) If they try to ignore, discredit, diminish or disrespect this mighty young marvel, they will be doing a great disservice to the natural evolution of the game. Much like the deep state did by attacking Monica Seles. Yes indeed Mensik is special and I was lucky to see it at US Open vs Fognini, where the main reason I attended was to watch the wrong guy, Fognini ) Mensik stole the show.
Scoop Malinowski · March 31, 2025 at 9:42 am
The post match interaction alone of Mensik and Djokovic was more compelling theater than anything Sinner has ever done on a tennis court. Djokovic naturally creates magical tennis moments.
Matt Segel · March 31, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Here is an example. On the you tube highlights for the qf, they showed a picture….of Arthur Fils.
The ATP press is based in London, NYC and the Anglo’s have a disdain for the Slavic people. Just saying Mensik might step into the Nole role of third wheel to their aesthetic of what they want the game to look like.
Scoop Malinowski · March 31, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Matt, do you remember when Hingis said there is no anti black racism in tennis and that it’s actually an advantage to be black in tennis. https://www.tennis-prose.com/articles/scoop/when-hingis-said-theres-no-racism-in-tennis-and-being-black-helps-the-williams/
catherine · April 1, 2025 at 6:52 am
Matt – as an ‘Anglo’ I have to say I’ve never noticed any ‘disdain’ for Slavic people. As an example the UK has strong ties with Poland and we have a large Polish population.
Steve · April 1, 2025 at 7:54 am
Will be interesting. Will he be a another Berdych, a guy with perfect stokes that lingered in the top 10 but was never going to win a slam or will his career be more like Lendl…
Scoop Malinowski · April 1, 2025 at 8:31 am
He’s more fluid and dynamic than the mechanical predictable Berdych. Mensik has the flair Big Berd did not.
Scoop Malinowski · April 1, 2025 at 8:39 am
The establishment is anti Russian, that much is clear. Elite Czech players, which there are many, never seem to get all the way to the top. Do you think the establishment wants a Czech player to be no. 1? Do you think they like seeing Vondrousova, Krejcikova, Kvitova winning grand slams or are they mess marketable?
Steve · April 4, 2025 at 8:59 am
They don’t seem to like Slavs too much but the cool thing about tennis, elite tennis anyway, is that the ranking is objective.
Even if they give them day matches instead of night matches or edit promotional videos to make them look like the villains, if they keep winning they can’t stop them.
They couldn’t stop Medvedev from reaching #1.
It will be interesting to see the interplay between the elite two Sinner & Alcaraz and Mensik and Fonseca. Will they coalesce into a big four in one or two years(assuming Rune can’t get it together) or will they languish in the 2nd tier.
I just get a feeling Carlos wants new coaching, something fresh.
Scoop Malinowski · April 4, 2025 at 9:33 am
Steve, Med became no. 1 because they stole the ranking points from Djokovic for winning Wimbledon and banning him from other 1000s. They wanted to steal no. 1 from Djokovic and Med was the guy next in line. Also, let’s not forget Draper who could make it a Fantastic Five. Also Mpetshi Perricard could force his way into the elite group. I think Carlos is locked in for life to Ferrero. Ferrero’s academy is dependent on the huge promotion Carlos gives it. Yes there is something bothering Carlos, whether it’s the pressure the establishment put on him to win everything and replace/erase Djokovic, or the corrupt politics of the sport, or burn out or fractional loss of hunger to stay on top, or he’s in love with some girl, who knows but he has gone off the boil.
Steve · April 5, 2025 at 5:21 am
Safin and Kafelnikov were also #1. You just have to keep winning. I’m not going to take anything away from Medvedev’s achievement.
Scoop Malinowski · April 5, 2025 at 7:55 am
Steve, Yes Med got there but nobody remembers the factor of the ATP stripping the Wimb points and Djok being banned from two or three 1000s which opened the door for Med to get to 1. If the establishment had not cheated Djokovic (by design) Med would not have been 1. But history won’t remember these details and Med was no. 1, but he never will be again IMO.