From Prostejov to ATP champion in six years: the rise of Jakub Mensik

Another wonderful player pathway story emerged from the Miami Open as Czech teenager Jakub Mensik claimed the men's title, denying Novak Djokovic his 100th ATP singles crown in the process.

Young pretender Mensik dispatched grand master Djokovic, who has 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, 7-6(4) 7-6(4) to clinch the first ATP Tour title of what is shaping up to be an extremely promising career. 

By sealing the biggest title of his career so far – he is the ninth youngest to become a Masters 1000 champion – the 19-year-old surges to a career-best No. 24 in the ATP Rankings. 

There is little doubt that Mensik is a rising star of the game, but it only seems five minutes since he was helping his nation finish third at ITF World Junior Tennis Finals – the international team event for players aged 14 and under – in 2019. Mensik was only 13 in 2019 and his career has acclerated considerably since.

Mensik, a former junior world No. 2, also represented his nation at the 2021 Davis Cup Juniors Finals before reaching the boys' final at the 2022 Australian Open where he was defeated by Bruno Kuzuhara of the United States. 

Prostejov-born Mensik made his senior Davis Cup debut in 2023 and his Olympic bow the following year, while he has five ITF World Tennis Tour titles to his name. 

His most recent ITF World Tennis Tour title came at M25 Trnava in April 2023, from where he competed more and more at ATP Challenger Tour level before making the step to the ATP Tour itself. He has contested five Grand Slams.