Just a year ago, Jakub Mensik was barely a blip on the radar-still a teenager, still climbing, and just beginning to find his footing on the ATP Tour. Fast forward to now, and he’s no longer flying under the radar.
His breakout moment came early in the 2025 season, when he stunned the tennis world by upsetting sixth-seeded Casper Ruud at the Australian Open. That win was the spark, but it was what happened two months later in Miami that truly lit the fire.
At the Miami Open, Mensik didn’t just win matches-he tore through the draw with the poise of a veteran and the grit of a champion. He took down four top-20 players en route to the title, including a nerve-wracking semifinal against Taylor Fritz and a marquee final showdown against none other than Novak Djokovic, his childhood idol. What stood out wasn’t just the wins themselves, but how he won them-six tiebreakers across those three matches, and he didn’t blink once.
“He was remarkably clutch,” said Jimmy Arias, director of player development at IMG Academy. “When you get on the brink, a lot of people get ahead of themselves. But he was playing perhaps the greatest player of all time, and he won all the big points.”
That kind of composure under pressure is rare, especially for someone so young. The Miami title vaulted Mensik up the rankings to No. 24 in the world, and by May, he had cracked the Top 20-becoming the youngest player in that elite group.
But as fast as the rise came, the rest of the season didn’t offer quite the same momentum. Injuries-first to his knee, then his foot-slowed his progress.
The flashes of brilliance were still there, but the consistency took a hit. That’s not uncommon for young players adjusting to the grind of the tour, and it’s something Patrick McEnroe noted when assessing Mensik’s trajectory.
“Young players are still growing and adjusting to the intensity of life on the tour,” McEnroe said. “But he’s pretty athletic and strikes me as diligent, so there’s a good chance he’ll get that cleaned up.”
Now, heading into the 2026 season, Mensik says he’s healthy and ready. The question is whether he used the offseason to not only heal but also level up-get stronger, sharper, and more durable for the long haul.
Jimmy Arias echoed that sentiment: “We’ll see if he got bigger and stronger this offseason.”
Mensik has already shown he can hang with the best. He’s proven he can win under pressure, take down top-tier opponents, and rise to the moment.
What comes next is about sustainability-turning that early spark into a steady flame. If his offseason work matches his talent and mindset, don’t be surprised if 2026 becomes the year Jakub Mensik goes from rising star to serious contender.