Mensik praises Zverev: ‘It’s like playing against a wall.’

The epic journey of Jakub Mensik at the French Open ended bitterly in the semi-finals, halted by the relentless Alexander Zverev, who displayed his composure to secure a place in the final where he will face Flavio Cobolli. The young Czech tennis player surprised everyone by reaching a historic level, defying expectations that placed him far from title contention. In a press conference, Mensik did not hide his frustration over the defeat, but he expressed pride and determination to learn valuable lessons from this unforgettable journey.

“Even today, whether I won or lost, I would say it was an exceptional tournament, a unique experience,” confessed Jakub Mensik, visibly emotional. “At this moment, of course, I am sad about the loss, but I hope that in a few hours or days I can look back on this match, and the tournament as a whole, positively. The match had many ups and downs, as always, and playing against Sascha is like hitting against a wall. He is an extremely tough opponent, he doesn’t give you any points, and it’s very hard to find your rhythm when he plays so deep. For me, it was a huge challenge to get into my rhythm and establish my comfort zone. I had a game plan, but at certain moments it was complicated to choose the right shots. There were good moments and less good moments, but that’s how tennis works.”

Mensik particularly highlighted the German’s lethal serve: “Sascha’s serve is formidable. In the first set, and during the two sets where I was trying to find my rhythm and position on the court, that made all the difference, because he practically gave me no opportunity. Unfortunately, there were occasions for both sides, but he took better advantage and controlled the game. That’s why he is the number three in the world: a player who doesn’t let you maintain momentum in your favor for long. Even having some good games and opportunities, with his powerful serve and solid baseline game, it was very difficult to attack and reverse the trend.”

Despite the defeat, Jakub Mensik emphasized the positive aspects he takes away from these unforgettable two weeks at the Paris Grand Slam. “I am very happy to have reached the semifinals and to have beaten great players. There were difficult moments when it seemed like everything was over for me, but I managed to get back up, keep fighting, and find ways to win. When I was in good shape and confident, I showed the best tennis I know. It was two weeks full of stories; maintaining this level and pace for so long is very difficult, especially in a Major, playing against the best. For me, it was my first time, and many things happened for the first time. I am satisfied with how I managed the situation reasonably well and consider this experience fantastic.”

Jakub Mensik leaves the French Open with his head held high, ready to grow and turn the lessons from this tournament into fuel for his career. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev is preparing for the final, where he will face Flavio Cobolli in a clash that promises excitement and intensity until the last point. The story of the French Open 2024 is far from over.

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