Just before the Qatar Open in February 2024, Jakub Mensik made a bold statement in his interview with the ATP Tour. “I now have the confidence that I can play with these big guys and that I can really beat the big guys.” What followed immediately was the then 18-year-old going all the way to the final. Along the way, he defeated World No. 5, Andrei Rublev, in straight sets, and prevailed over iconic veterans Andy Murray and Gael Monfils in three setters.

In the final, Mensik fell to no. 17 Karen Khachanov, but the newcomer had made his point. And a year later, in Miami, Mensik announced his arrival. If besting world no. 7 Jack Draper and no. 4 Taylor Fritz wasn’t enough, Jakub Mensik went one step further in the final – the scalp – Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

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