By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday May 12, 2025
Jakub Mensik hit the big time in Miami in March, when he shocked his idol Novak Djokovic in the final to become the second youngest champion in tournament history. Since the tour has moved to the clay, he has continued to impress.
In Madrid, Mensik became the fifth teenager to power into the quarterfinals in that tournament history, and at the Foro Italico in Rome, where the clay is slower and the conditions less suitable to his attacking game, he has continued to thrive.
Wonderkid 🥵@mensik_jakub_ defeats Marozsan 6-4 7-6 to reach the fourth round in Rome 🤌#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/Drgt6yUNMH
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 12, 2025
Mensik powered past Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 7-6(2) on Monday to become the first Czech man to reach the round of 16 at Rome since Tomas Berdych in 2017.
“So far the season is going pretty well, I’m pretty happy with everything. I’m playing good on the hard courts, and my first couple of tournaments on the clay I am doing quite well, so I am feeling well everywhere, that’s the most important thing for me. I am enjoying every moment on the court, playing these tournaments was always my dream so I will keep dreaming – my goals are high so let’s see what the next chapter of the season brings.”
The powerful teen is now 12-2 at the Masters 1000 events in 2025, and 19-6 overall, which places him in a tie with Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt for most match wins in 1000-leve events as a teenager. It’s a list he will continue to climb until he turns 20 on September 1.
He’s also been clutch, using his lethal serve to get out of tough moments. Mensik won all seven tiebreaks he played during Miami and has won 11 of the last 12 tiebreaks he has played at Masters 1000 events.
Speaking of climbing, Mensik is now inside the ATP’s Top-20 in the live rankings, and will likely make his Top-20 debut after Rome. He will face Hubert Hurkacz for a spot in the quarterfinals next.
He’s more concerned about the match than the ranking.
“I’m not concerned about the ranking so I didn’t know before the match or even after,” he said. “It just feels great. I was finding myself in the first match and in the first set of this match. The main thing in this match is that I stayed focused and stayed calm, trusting that I would find a way.”
