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

GoatNo1

GoatNo1

Legend

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



A relaxed Novak Djokovic during a match


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.”

www.tennis365.com

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 www.tennis365.com
 
GoatNo1 said:

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



A relaxed Novak Djokovic during a match


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.”

www.tennis365.com

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 www.tennis365.com
Click to expand...

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

Anyway...it's a good story. Glad to see Novak continuing to mentor the young.
 
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.
 
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 said:
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.
Click to expand...
you need to understand that criticizing him for things that he should be criticized for doesn't mean they are criticizing the good things he does... even if they are tax deductible
 
Mensik injury is "abdominal muscle" same injury that Borg had 1976 Wimbledon. However, while Borg woke-up screaming like a banshee in pain, he still managed to take pain injections and won his last 3 matches without dropping a set for the entire tournament. Won't go as far as say that it's rigged but clearly shows this "new generation" can't hold a candle to the past greats. Do people still think this guy will be one of the top players for the next decade? Not a good look either way.
 
AgassiSuperSlam11 said:
Mensik injury is "abdominal muscle" same injury that Borg had 1976 Wimbledon. However, while Borg woke-up screaming like a banshee in pain, he still managed to take pain injections and won his last 3 matches without dropping a set for the entire tournament. Won't go as far as say that it's rigged but clearly shows this "new generation" can't hold a candle to the past greats. Do people still think this guy will be one of the top players for the next decade? Not a good look either way.
Click to expand...
I mean we don’t know the severity of the injury.
Also the game was different then.
Not saying mensik was going to win, but his serve is his weapon. Pretty sure an abdominal injury is only going to :
1. Get worse
2. Constrain any chances to be effective against Novak.
 
ChrisJR3264 said:
I mean we don’t know the severity of the injury.
Also the game was different then.
Not saying mensik was going to win, but his serve is his weapon. Pretty sure an abdominal injury is only going to :
1. Get worse
2. Constrain any chances to be effective against Novak.
Click to expand...
I saw his instagram post and he was examined by doctors who made the determination. At this point if it was tear, they would say specifically, "Abdominal tear" not "Abdominal Injury," These tears are three different grades with a Grade 3 being the most severe. Nonetheless, there was no mention of a tear. Djokovic has played and won with a tear as he did with Fritz at the AO. I am not knocking the guy or even saying it's rigged but some athletes as MJ in the flu game or even Tilden winning WImbledon with a fever and boils are cut from a different cloth. Isiah Thomas once got 40 stiches during half-time and came back to play in the same game. The aforementioned examples are among the mildest injuries in which athletes have decided to play. If this was a 500 or even a 1000 tournament it's more understandable.

I've seen DJoko and Mensik practice together live and yes, they are friendly, but I won't go as far to say it was rigged.
 
AgassiSuperSlam11 said:
Mensik injury is "abdominal muscle" same injury that Borg had 1976 Wimbledon. However, while Borg woke-up screaming like a banshee in pain, he still managed to take pain injections and won his last 3 matches without dropping a set for the entire tournament. Won't go as far as say that it's rigged but clearly shows this "new generation" can't hold a candle to the past greats. Do people still think this guy will be one of the top players for the next decade? Not a good look either way.
Click to expand...
There's a world of difference between 1976 and 2026 tennis worlds. Playing with an injury and aggravating is no longer advised. Mensik was going to lose anyway, why play with injury. And lets say he somehow beats djoker, does he beat sinnner and alcaraz too
 
roysid said:
There's a world of difference between 1976 and 2026 tennis worlds. Playing with an injury and aggravating is no longer advised. Mensik was going to lose anyway, why play with injury. And lets say he somehow beats djoker, does he beat sinnner and alcaraz too
Click to expand...
Was there a world of difference when Djoko won with a tear a few years ago against Fritz in the same tournament? I agree he likely was going to lose away but you need to show-up to find out. His post sounded like he was happy with the points he won and was happy to leave. Next GS is 4 months away and plenty of time for healing. The next M1000 is in March. Although Fed took heat for the walkover in the ATP FInals, he did show-up virtually his entire career and we know he likely was banged up often when he did.

Mensik had the pain for the last two matches as well but still won in straight sets, so I give him credit for that.
 
ChrisJR3264 said:
I mean we don’t know the severity of the injury.
Also the game was different then.
Not saying mensik was going to win, but his serve is his weapon. Pretty sure an abdominal injury is only going to :
1. Get worse
2. Constrain any chances to be effective against Novak.
Click to expand...
Not saying that I know the extent of Mensik's injury but that Borg didn't rely on his service less the few decades ago than Mensik today. Besides, how much do you think Djoker has counted on his service a few moons ago when he won the AO with a similar injury as Mensik a few hours ago?
 
roysid said:
There's a world of difference between 1976 and 2026 tennis worlds. Playing with an injury and aggravating is no longer advised. Mensik was going to lose anyway, why play with injury. And lets say he somehow beats djoker, does he beat sinnner and alcaraz too
Click to expand...
One of the differences today is that treatments are more advanced than before.
 
In fairness, let's see if he comes back in a few weeks in Dubai for the $$$ or if he returns at IW. The extent and severity of the injury will be corroborated when he returns. A grade 3 Abdominal Tear makes a quick return unlikely,
 
AgassiSuperSlam11 said:
Was there a world of difference when Djoko won with a tear a few years ago against Fritz in the same tournament? I agree he likely was going to lose away but you need to show-up to find out. His post sounded like he was happy with the points he won and was happy to leave. Next GS is 4 months away and plenty of time for healing. The next M1000 is in March. Although Fed took heat for the walkover in the ATP FInals, he did show-up virtually his entire career and we know he likely was banged up often when he did.

Mensik had the pain for the last two matches as well but still won in straight sets, so I give him credit for that.
Click to expand...
Yes there is . Djokovic comes to win the title while mensik is happy with 4R or max QF.
In 2021 Djokovic won with incredible skill, some luck and joker of an opponents. Most vulnerable he was against Fritz but he had a brain fade as usual.

Can't imagine mensik doing that and that too against Djokovic.
 
AgassiSuperSlam11 said:
Mensik injury is "abdominal muscle" same injury that Borg had 1976 Wimbledon. However, while Borg woke-up screaming like a banshee in pain, he still managed to take pain injections and won his last 3 matches without dropping a set for the entire tournament. Won't go as far as say that it's rigged but clearly shows this "new generation" can't hold a candle to the past greats. Do people still think this guy will be one of the top players for the next decade? Not a good look either way.
Click to expand...

Not everyone can be Djoko and win AO with an abdominal tear.
 
Gazelle said:
Not everyone can be Djoko and win AO with an abdominal tear.
Click to expand...
Nadal also won Wimbledon 2008 and FO 2022 with foot injections as the aforementioned Borg did with the abdominal tear. Perhaps Mensik has only a Grade 1 tear or maybe a Grade 3? I know he won the last 2 matches in straight sets but was he double-faulting and did his Serve MPH go down? Agassi took injections before matches and Martina won and made it deep into tournaments while she badly needed bilateral arthroscopic knee surgery. Athletes take a cocktail of pain pills (as long as not on banned list) and often get various trigger point injections, cortisone injections, and even Cervical and Lumbar Epidural injections to help manage pain and injuries.

If Mensik returns in Doha and Dubai for $$$ then it can be safely assumed the abdominal injury wasn't a high-grade tear. Nonetheless, some prefer a player pulling out instead of playing 1 set then retiring.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Birrittene96
Mensik retires from AO, Djokovic advances to QF!
2 3
Replies
115
Views
2K
Jav
Jav
Rovesciarete
Who is winning when the serve comes back?
Replies
9
Views
2K
nolefam_2024
N
Subway Tennis
The Mensik era begins
2 3
Replies
106
Views
4K
Angrybirdstar
A
Megafanoftennis100
  • Poll Poll
If Jakub Mensik and Roger Federer were born in the same era, how many Wimbledon titles would Federer have won?
Replies
42
Views
2K
PilotPete
P
W
Match Stats/Report - Mensik vs Djokovic, Miami final, 2025
Replies
1
Views
426
Waspsting
W
Back
Top