Remember last month when Czech teenager Jakub Mensik revealed he nearly pulled out of the Miami Open, only to end up lifting the trophy? He credited a lucky twist of fate: a referee’s timely lunch break. “I was really suffering. I took a different painkiller, switched it up a bit, and started to feel a little relief. It was 30 minutes before the match, I thought ‘I can walk, I can run, let’s see,’” he shared. Fast-forward to now, the 19-year-old is cruising through the Madrid Open, showcasing a level of poise and fire that has stunned opponents. In fact, his latest display left Alexander Bublik in awe, so much so, that the Kazakh couldn’t help but drop a powerful truth bomb about facing Mensik. Curious what he said?

In a thrilling show of skill and maturity beyond his years, the 19-year-old stunned fans and opponents alike as he overpowered Alexander Bublik to book his place in the last 16 of the Madrid Open! With a performance marked by precision, poise, and power, the Czech teenager outclassed his seasoned opponent in just 56 minutes, winning 22 more points than the Kazakh and never letting up from start to finish. 

From rock-solid serves to pinpoint groundstrokes, Mensik delivered a masterclass that left spectators captivated by his raw talent. His emphatic win didn’t just silence critics, it earned him praise and even some unexpected admiration from his opponent. 

During a changeover, Bublik couldn’t help but vent to chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, offering a mix of frustration and reluctant respect for Mensik’s brilliance. “Mohamed, remember when tennis was easy? Five years ago, it was super easy to play tennis. You had a bunch of random people in the Top 50, barely moving,” Bublik said. “Now this guy [Mensik] is not even Top 10. The **** is that?” he exclaimed. His words, though comical, reflect a deeper truth about the rising caliber of talent on the ATP Tour!

The match itself saw Mensik assert control early, showcasing near-flawless serving. He dropped only 11 points across 9 service games, suffocating Bublik’s return game and dictating the tempo with ease. While the Kazakh tried to mount a resistance, Mensik’s relentless pressure and strategic sharpness continually exposed the gaps in his opponent’s play. With every rally, the 19-year-old, who beat Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open final with the final score line of 7-6(4), 7-6(4), proved why he’s one of the sport’s most promising young stars.

Bublik’s outburst wasn’t just a one-off remark; it echoed a growing sentiment among many veterans on the circuit. The days of the Top 50 being filled with journeymen are long gone. Today’s young guns, like Mensik, are fitter, faster, and far more polished, entering the pro scene with weapons honed and ambitions sky-high. The level of competition has skyrocketed, and Mensik’s performance is yet another sign of the sport’s evolving era.

And following his stunning victory, Mensik humbly reflected on the journey ahead. Despite his youth, he recognizes the challenges ahead; however, this recent match suggests that this Czech star is only at the beginning of his career, with even more significant achievements anticipated.

“Still learning a lot of things”: Jakub Mensik’s candid thoughts as he marches on

Jakub Mensik’s remarkable rise on the ATP Tour continued at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he joined an elite group by reaching the QF. With a dominant straight-sets win over Alexander Bublik, Mensik became just the 5th teenager to reach this stage at the Caja Mágica, standing alongside legends like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Denis Shapovalov, and Carlos Alcaraz. His smooth progress reflects a breakout season, which already includes the Masters 1000 title in Miami.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by the success,” the Czech recently told an interview with ATP. “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.”

He later emphasized how he can learn more things as the game progresses. “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,” he added. 

Still ranked outside the Top 20, Mensik remains unfazed, recently stating his goal to do justice to his game as he matures on tour. He’s yet to drop a set in Madrid, taking down Ethan Quinn, Ben Shelton, and Bublik with authority. After a minor setback in Munich, this run marks a strong return to form in only his second tournament since Miami.

With Francisco Cerundolo standing on his way in the quarters now, can Mensik go on another giant-killing run like Miami? What’s your thought about this? Share your comments below!