Jakub Mensik reflects on the ‘hype’ from Jannik Sinner’s win as he pushes for a first Top 10 | ATP Tour

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Mensik reflects on ‘hype’ from Sinner win as he pushes for first Top 10

The 20-year-old has moved up to world number 13 following the biggest win of his career

February 24, 2026

Jakub Mensik continues to make sensational statements at the top of the ATP Tour, and his stunning victory over Jannik Sinner in Doha was the biggest buzz as the 20-year-old faces his first Top 10 appearance.

After producing the biggest win of his career at World No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals in Doha last week, Mensik is already back in action at the Duty Free Tennis Championships, looking to build momentum for another ATP 500 test. The quality of his Doha victory against Sinner, and what it means for his career, remains to be seen.

“The biggest hype – not only for me but for everyone – was the match against Jannik,” Mensik told ATP Media in Dubai, reflecting on the 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 win over Sinner. “It was the biggest game of my young life, I found myself on the field.

“Beating Jannik and being at the same level as him showed me a lot and showed me that I’m going in the right direction.”

With his run to the semi-finals in Doha, where he was eventually stopped by Arthur Fils, Mensik rose to a career-high No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The result underlined what has already been an eye-catching start to the season, where he won his second ATP Tour title in Auckland in January.

Doha, in particular, has a special meaning. In 2024, it marked his first ATP Tour main-draw appearance, and he advanced to the final before returning two years later to claim the biggest trophy of his career in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Sinner.

“Last week was a week for me,” said Mensik. “Getting to the semi finals, a lot of good games… Obviously a tough loss but overall a good week for me. I went back to Doha [for the first time] from 2024, when it was my first [ATP] the competition. I had really good memories and had a great time.

“Overall, I’m happy with the performance I’ve shown and that my game is getting better and better.”

Watch Mensik shock Sinner in Doha QFs:

At the Australian Open in January, Mensik was forced to withdraw before a popcorn fourth-round meeting with Novak Djokovic due to injury. The Czech, who famously beat Djokovic in last year’s Miami final, took two weeks off before returning to Doha refreshed and focused—something he believes is already paying dividends.

“After the Australian Open, I realized that I have to do everything possible with my life,” said Mensik. “I took a few days off and started to miss tennis a little bit, but this break helped me a lot to renew my energy and prepare well. These breaks between tournaments, for me, are the best thing that can happen because I can show my best tennis.”

A contender for the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2024, Mensik has long been considered one of the Tour’s brightest prospects. In Dubai, he is set for a possible quarter-final clash with Alexander Bublik and hopes to build momentum in his push for a first Top 10.

With his title defense at the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami – where he will be defending a key point in the rankings – a strong run this week will strengthen his position as he aims to leap forward.