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Mensik displays on ‘hype’ from Sinner win as he pushes towards High 10 debut
20-year-old is as much as career-high World No. 13 following greatest win of his profession
February 24, 2026
Mohamed Farag/Getty Pictures
Jakub Mensik owns a 9-9 file vs. High-10 gamers, in accordance with the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
By Jerome Coombe
Jakub Mensik continues to make thunderous statements on the prime of the ATP Tour, and his gorgeous win over Jannik Sinner in Doha was the loudest but because the 20-year-old prices towards a High 10 debut.
After producing the most important win of his profession over World No. 2 Jannik Sinner within the Doha quarter-finals final week, Mensik is already again in motion on the Dubai Responsibility Free Tennis Championships, trying to construct additional momentum in one other ATP 500 check. The dimensions of his Doha triumph towards Sinner, and what it means for his trajectory, continues to be sinking in.
“The massive hype — not only for me however for all of the individuals — was that match towards Jannik,” Mensik instructed ATP Media in Dubai, reflecting on his 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 over Sinner. “It was one of many biggest matches in my younger profession. I actually discovered myself nicely on the court docket.
“Beating Jannik and mainly being on the identical degree as him confirmed me quite a bit and confirmed me that I’m going the best method.”
Together with his run to the semi-finals in Doha, the place he was finally halted by Arthur Fils, Mensik rose to a career-high No. 13 within the PIF ATP Rankings. The end result underlined what has already been an eye catching begin to the season , throughout which he received his second ATP Tour title in Auckland in January.
Doha, particularly, holds particular that means. In 2024, it marked his first ATP Tour main-draw look, and he surged all the best way to the ultimate earlier than returning two years later to attain the most important win of his profession in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly with Sinner.
“Final week was fairly every week for me,” Mensik stated. “Reaching the semis, a number of nice matches… Clearly a troublesome loss however general week for me. I got here again to Doha [for the first time] since 2024, when it was my first [ATP] match. I had very nice reminiscences and I had a good time.
“Total I’m pleased with the efficiency that I confirmed and that my recreation goes increased and better.”
Watch Mensik shock Sinner in Doha QFs:
On the Australian Open in January, Mensik was pressured to withdraw forward of a popcorn fourth-round assembly with Novak Djokovic on account of damage. The Czech, who famously defeated Djokovic within the Miami remaining final yr, stepped away for 2 weeks earlier than returning to Doha refreshed and refocused — a transfer he believes is already paying dividends.
“After the Australian Open, I realised that I’ve to do all the things as greatest as attainable for my well being,” stated Mensik. “I took some days off and I began to overlook tennis somewhat bit, however this break helped me quite a bit to resume my vitality and to organize nicely. These breaks between the tournaments, for me, it’s the perfect factor to occur as a result of I can then present my greatest tennis.”
A competitor on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals in 2024, Mensik has lengthy been considered one of many brightest prospects on Tour. In Dubai, he’s seeded for a possible quarter-final conflict with Alexander Bublik and hopes to construct momentum in his push for a maiden High 10 berth.
Together with his title defence looming on the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami — the place he might be defending invaluable rating factors — a powerful run this week would additional strengthen his place as he targets one other leap ahead.
