Jakub Mensik, an 18-year-old teenage tennis sensation from the Czech Republic is steadily making a name for himself in the International Men’s tennis circuit.
An interview segment of him talking about why he chose to play at the Qatar Open has won over the hearts of several fans. Read to find out what he said:
Jakub Mensik has been a tennis revelation this year. The Czech, who first caught the eye for his ultra-competitive match against the reigning World No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz in the Australian Open has been playing tremendously. Recently, he overcame the challenge from another legendary player, Andy Murray in the RO16 at the Qatar Open.
The win over Murray sent Mensik into the quarter-final round where his opponent was the Russian World No. 5, Andrey Rublev, the Russian being a heavy favourite. However, things would not go as planned for Rublev, as the Czech youngster defeated him in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, winning the tie-breaker in the second set.
After being congratulated for the win in the on-court interview, the interviewer asked Jakub why he chose Qatar as a destination for redeeming his main draw entry. The answer to this left many hilariously surprised.
Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
“There’s a new ATP Next Gen rule that says players 20 and younger ranked in the top 250 have an opportunity at a main draw entry at an ATP 250. You chose Doha. Why?” the interviewer asked Mensik.
Jakub replied: “Uh. Because I received a free iPhone.”
“I have to say that now that I didn’t have that opportunity sooner. So for me, this was the first option to play this tournament,” Mensik added.
‘I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Novak Djokovic,’ Jakub Mensik reveals his biggest tennis inspiration
In a recent video by the ATP, Jakub Mensik introduces himself and reveals his biggest tennis idol Novak Djokovic.
The Czech rising star said that growing up, he was a big fan of Novak Djokovic and loved his playing style. He credited Novak for being his inspiration in his tennis journey.
“My tennis inspiration is Novak Djokovic. Because of him, I started to play tennis. He is my biggest idol. Because of him [otherwise], I wouldn’t be here,” Mensik said about his tennis idol Novak.
The Qatar Open semi-finalist also revealed that playing Novak on his favourite court in Melbourne at the Australia Open was his dream match-up.
“[My dream match-up] will be Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open, for sure,” the Czech player said.
