Mensik keeping it simple in Miami: “Everything is happening at the right time”
The 19-year-old Czech says he treats every opponent the same, whatever their ranking
Imago / Psnewz
Young players breaking through at the top of the game can often be guilty of rushing, thinking that they need to win big, and win soon.
For Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, though, patience seems to be the watchword, even as he finds himself in the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time, the first man born in 2005 to achieve such a feat.
The 19-year-old booked his place in the semis with a win over Arthur Fils, another top youngster, in Miami on Thursday and said he was hitting top form not only at the right time, but at the time he should.
“I mean, everything is happening in the right time,” he told reporters in Miami. “Of course last year I had great runs on some of the tournaments. This year as well. So everything is happening for a reason, and it’s all the time the right time. Never is too late; never is too early. That’s it.”
Treating every opponent the same
It sounds simple but Mensik said he treats every opponent the same way, be it Carlos Alcaraz or the world No 200.
“Just go, win,” he said, of his philosophy. “Not win, but just…every time when I’m stepping on the court, I’m feeling like that’s the match. I will play, I’m always trying to play my best tennis, to show best performance,” he said.
“Of course I don’t mind if there is a guy who is top 100 or top 20. Of course it’s a difference. You can see it in how is he playing, but still, for me, my mindset is always the same.”
Mensik plays either Taylor Fritz or Matteo Berrettini in the semi-finals.
“My strategy base will be the same, but of course I will prepare myself, do some scouting reports, and let’s see who’s going to win today,” he said of their match. “Of course I’m excited for the next match, and that’s it.”
