Mensik reveals how Novak Djokovic helped him – ‘I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him’

[GoatNo1]

Rising star reveals how Novak Djokovic helped him – ‘I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him’​

Ewan West30 Apr 2024 4:14 PM

Novak Djokovic reacts during his tennis match

Jakub Mensik and his coach Tomas Josefus have shed light on how tennis icon Novak Djokovic helped the rising ATP star earlier in his career.

The pair revealed that Djokovic invited Mensik to train with him and openly shared his “knowledge and contacts” with the 18-year-old.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Josefus, who coaches Mensik, divulged how Djokovic contacted the Czech out of the blue in February 2022.

“We were taking stock when Jakub received a video on his phone from a Serbian number that he didn’t know. He did not hesitate to share his knowledge and contacts. We had closed doors in front of us, Novak opened them,” explained the coach.

Mensik shared his recollection of the story and admitted he initially doubted that the message was actually from Djokovic.

“I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him. Novak is my childhood idol, you can imagine my joy,” said Mensik during the same interview.

“Weight, lunch, recovery… Everything he did, I did. I understood a lot of things there. I observed him, I tried to analyse his functioning, how he warms up, stretches, recovers.

“He recommended them (contacts) to us and gave us their number. Many things we put in place were thanks to him.”

The teenager also discussed his experience of practising with Djokovic for the second time prior to the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.

“It was before Wimbledon, so I was able to observe his his specific preparation for a Grand Slam, all the little details of everyday life,” Mensik added.

On the back of Mensik’s superb start to the season, the ATP released an “It’s time to get to know Jakub Mensik” video in February.

Asked about his dream match-up, the Czech replied: “It will be Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open, for sure. Of course [I would win].”

The 18-year-old added: “My tennis inspiration is Novak Djokovic. Because of him, I started to play tennis. He is my biggest idol. Because of him, [or] I wouldn’t be here.”

Rising star reveals how Novak Djokovic helped him - 'I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him'

Jakub Mensik and his coach have shed light on how tennis icon Novak Djokovic has helped the rising ATP star in his career.

www.tennis365.com

 

[InsuranceMan]

Respect

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Lovely words from young Mensik. Novak is a true role model to so many young tennis players around the world!

 

[ND-13]

Lovely words from young Mensik. Novak is a true role model to so many young tennis players around the world!

For everyone in PTPA

 

[messiahrobins]

Djokovic is well known for this, he has always been very good with the up and coming players.

 

[Aabye5]

Rising star reveals how Novak Djokovic helped him – ‘I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him’​

Ewan West30 Apr 2024 4:14 PM

Novak Djokovic reacts during his tennis match

Jakub Mensik and his coach Tomas Josefus have shed light on how tennis icon Novak Djokovic helped the rising ATP star earlier in his career.

The pair revealed that Djokovic invited Mensik to train with him and openly shared his “knowledge and contacts” with the 18-year-old.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Josefus, who coaches Mensik, divulged how Djokovic contacted the Czech out of the blue in February 2022.

“We were taking stock when Jakub received a video on his phone from a Serbian number that he didn’t know. He did not hesitate to share his knowledge and contacts. We had closed doors in front of us, Novak opened them,” explained the coach.

Mensik shared his recollection of the story and admitted he initially doubted that the message was actually from Djokovic.

“I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him. Novak is my childhood idol, you can imagine my joy,” said Mensik during the same interview.

“Weight, lunch, recovery… Everything he did, I did. I understood a lot of things there. I observed him, I tried to analyse his functioning, how he warms up, stretches, recovers.

“He recommended them (contacts) to us and gave us their number. Many things we put in place were thanks to him.”

The teenager also discussed his experience of practising with Djokovic for the second time prior to the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.

“It was before Wimbledon, so I was able to observe his his specific preparation for a Grand Slam, all the little details of everyday life,” Mensik added.

On the back of Mensik’s superb start to the season, the ATP released an “It’s time to get to know Jakub Mensik” video in February.

Asked about his dream match-up, the Czech replied: “It will be Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open, for sure. Of course [I would win].”

The 18-year-old added: “My tennis inspiration is Novak Djokovic. Because of him, I started to play tennis. He is my biggest idol. Because of him, [or] I wouldn’t be here.”

Rising star reveals how Novak Djokovic helped him - 'I first thought it was a hoax, but it was really him'

Jakub Mensik and his coach have shed light on how tennis icon Novak Djokovic has helped the rising ATP star in his career.

www.tennis365.com

It's not in bold. Did you write this?

Anyway...it's a good story. Glad to see Novak continuing to mentor the young.

 

[jm1972]

Straight set win tomorrow guaranteed for our Djoker.

 

[Tennis Devolution]

It's not in bold. Did you write this?

Anyway...it's a good story. Glad to see Novak continuing to mentor the young.

Well I believe the next-gen allowing novak djokovic to "mentor" them is actually preventing the next-gen from becoming true all-time greats who can actually raise the standard of tennis.

 

[jackson vile]

The People’s Champ!

 

[Hitman]

Mensik while having strong admiration for Djokovic also is quite strong willed and ice cold with his approach. He pushed Djokovic hard in Shanghai, he will not be afraid to go for it in the Miami final against him. What might get to him is the occasion of winning his first big title.

 

[clayqueen]

Rafa Nadal has tennis academies that provide that service to players worldwide.

 

[SonnyT]

I wonder who was the teen-ager Federer or Nadal closest to?

 

[Bambooman]

I wonder who was the teen-ager Federer or Nadal closest to?

Federer was closest to Sampras and Nadal to him.

 

[TennisBro]

Thank you for this thread, OP!

Novak Djokovic has truly not only helped many other junior ITF and current ATP players as an idol but as an active assistant in the process directly. I also recall Daniil Medvedev and Sasha Zverev talking about Novak's down to earth approach and help. Needless to say how much Djoker's given to kids' tennis development too. The Serb is truly an amazing person that the main stream media appears to have troubles accepting well enough.

 

[TennisBro]

Rafa Nadal has tennis academies that provide that service to players worldwide.

You're right but I think that Rafa's commercialized his academies and name unlike Djoker.