Megafanoftennis100
Hall of Fame
Seriously, after this year's Miami Open, I am starting to believe that Jakub Mensik is on great track to becoming unbeatable, even rivalling Jannik Sinner. In all my years of watching tennis, I don't think I recall seeing any tennis player who served so impeccably AND moved so well despite being so tall AND have such an unwavering endurance in rallies. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this guy moved faster than even the 2005-2009 versions of Rafael Nadal, and also had noticeably better stamina.
Mensik is not like a slow-moving servebot (like Ivo Karlovic) or a fast sprinter with weak serves (like De Minaur); he's got the total package. All of this was particularly evidence in his performance in this year's Miami Open finals. And you know what the scary part is? He is only 19 years old!!
Simply unbelievable. This guy will definitely finish his career with at least 15+ Grand Slam titles - I "only" say 15+, because he's got Jannik Sinner to compete with for the Slams, so those two may split some Slams.
With that being said, prime Roger Federer on grass is considered to be one of the most unbeatable versions of a tennis player ever. And especially at Wimbledon, he has won a record eight Wimbledon titles and made four additional finals, two of which he lost in super close 5 sets despite being past his prime.
Nevertheless, I do believe that a slightly older, more mature version (around 21-23 years old) of Jakub Mensik can beat prime Federer at Wimbledon, because his unparalleled serving performance, impeccable movement and absolutely top-tier endurance would give him a huge advantage on a fast and low bouncing surface like grass. If prime Federer keeps spamming his ultra powerful forehands in attempts to make winners, Mensik would counter all of them with ease until he outlasts Federer or Federer makes errors. I mean, even Nadal has outlasted prime Federer frequently. I don't see why Mensik cannot do it.
Moreover, in his entire career, Federer has never faced a player who served as amazingly as Mensik did in the Miami finals. Sampras? Roddick? Karlovic? Groth? Those are just watered down versions of Mensik.
So, what do you guys think? How many Wimbledon titles would Federer have won if Jakub Mensik were born in the same era as him?
In my opinion, I would say definitely far less than 8: somewhere around 2-4.
Mensik is not like a slow-moving servebot (like Ivo Karlovic) or a fast sprinter with weak serves (like De Minaur); he's got the total package. All of this was particularly evidence in his performance in this year's Miami Open finals. And you know what the scary part is? He is only 19 years old!!
Simply unbelievable. This guy will definitely finish his career with at least 15+ Grand Slam titles - I "only" say 15+, because he's got Jannik Sinner to compete with for the Slams, so those two may split some Slams.
With that being said, prime Roger Federer on grass is considered to be one of the most unbeatable versions of a tennis player ever. And especially at Wimbledon, he has won a record eight Wimbledon titles and made four additional finals, two of which he lost in super close 5 sets despite being past his prime.
Nevertheless, I do believe that a slightly older, more mature version (around 21-23 years old) of Jakub Mensik can beat prime Federer at Wimbledon, because his unparalleled serving performance, impeccable movement and absolutely top-tier endurance would give him a huge advantage on a fast and low bouncing surface like grass. If prime Federer keeps spamming his ultra powerful forehands in attempts to make winners, Mensik would counter all of them with ease until he outlasts Federer or Federer makes errors. I mean, even Nadal has outlasted prime Federer frequently. I don't see why Mensik cannot do it.
Moreover, in his entire career, Federer has never faced a player who served as amazingly as Mensik did in the Miami finals. Sampras? Roddick? Karlovic? Groth? Those are just watered down versions of Mensik.
So, what do you guys think? How many Wimbledon titles would Federer have won if Jakub Mensik were born in the same era as him?
In my opinion, I would say definitely far less than 8: somewhere around 2-4.
