From history maker to full-time contender: How Mensik is building on Miami success

Jakub Mensik made headlines in Miami last month, etching his name into the record books as the fifth-youngest player to capture an ATP Masters 1000 title. Just four weeks later, the #NextGenATP Czech is showing that his breakthrough was no one-off, now riding a wave of confidence into the fourth round of the Mutua Madrid Open.

“Miami has given me a big boost of confidence for the tournaments and matches. I don’t feel extra pressure with my matches but just have the confidence from it,” Mensik told ATPTour.com in Madrid. “I am still 19 and still learning a lot of things. It is my second year on the Tour and I am very young and the newcomer. Playing against the best players in the world is always what I wanted and now I can see I can compete against them, beat them consistently, it is something I like.”

The Czech teen stunned World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the Miami final, a result that rocketed him to No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings. In Madrid, he’s continued his sharp form, ousting Americans Ethan Quinn and Ben Shelton to set a fourth-round clash with Alexander Bublik.

Mensik’s rapid ascent may have taken some by surprise, but not the man himself, even though he admits his goals have been checked off faster than expected.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by the success,” Mensik said with a smile. “But before the season started, I set a goal to break into the Top 30 this year. It’s April and I’m already No. 23 so I have achieved that aim. Last year I set my goals and once again I had reached them by February.”

It’s been an impressive rise for the 19-year-old, who last year reached the Doha final, the third round at the US Open and the quarter-finals at the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai. But Miami marked a new level and expectations have raised.

With Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz no longer in the Madrid draw, Mensik could be considered a dark horse contender. Yet he’s quick to downplay any suggestion that his Miami title gives him an edge.

“A lot of things have changed since Miami, like my ranking going up. But every week is so tough to win a tournament so now I have won one, I don’t think it makes it easier to win another,” Mensik said. “There is still a long way to go in this tournament, so we will see. There is not much difference between title number one and title number two, there is still those similar feelings. When it is between title number one and title number 100, like Novak is trying to achieve, then there is a difference.”

Mensik’s rise hasn’t been fuelled by flash alone. His game is built on a rock-solid foundation, highlighted by a backhand that’s become a calling card. Able to redirect with pace or finesse, it’s a shot he’s leaned on since his earliest days on court.

“I think a good backhand is a Czech school thing," Mensik said. "A lot of the men have had great backhands especially. Of course I have my favourite shots, and I am not saying I don’t like my forehand, it is a good shot as well, but when there are pressure situations, say at 30/30, I trust some shots more and that is then more visible. I might hit that backhand down the line at 30/40. I have always been comfortable on my backhand from a very young age.”

Mensik will continue to impose his aggressive game on his opponents in Madrid, where Bublik is next in the firing line in the fourth round on Tuesday. However, the 19-year-old is keen to not put pressure on himself to deliver again in the Spanish capital.

“It’s just the beginning,” Mensik said. “I know there’s a lot more to come if I keep working the same way. If I keep giving 100 per cent.”