Unprecedented scene at Next Gen Finals: Jakub Mensik asked for doping test during match

[edberg volleys]

An unusual situation unfolded at the Next Gen ATP Finals during the match between Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik. The Czech player was asked to undergo a doping test before the match ended, following his toilet break after the second set.

Fils (World No. 20) and Mensik (No. 48) entered the tournament needing a win, as both had lost their opening round-robin matches to Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, respectively. While the match was evenly balanced in terms of first-serve percentage (62% for Fils and 63% for Mensik) and points won on the first serve (76% for Fils, 70% for Mensik), the Frenchman prevailed in the critical moments.

The recent Japan Open champion from October displayed his class after an outstanding year on the ATP Tour, securing the win in straight sets, 4-2, 4-3(4), 4-2. The comprehensive victory means Fils controls his destiny in the decisive match to reach the semifinals

Beyond the result, a peculiar incident occurred during the second set break. Trailing significantly, Mensik took a toilet break to regroup and stay in the match heading into the third set. However, upon returning to the court, he informed umpire Nacho Forcadell that he had been asked to take a doping test at that precise moment.

The Czech player appeared frustrated as he spoke with the umpire, as he not only faced adversity on the court, trailing by two sets, but also had to deal with the unprecedented request for a mid-match doping test. Nevertheless, the umpire clarified the situation with the organizers to avoid disrupting the match.

 

[nolefam_2024]

so mensik is already out of next gen finals ?

 

[kishnabe]

After the match sure, what clown requests a test mid match? Disturbing someone state of mind.

Probably the same fools who request urine samples from a weight drained fighter the day before the weight scale.

 

[vokazu]

Lol why don't they just do doping test after every point? ATP here is just pretending to be serious about doping control when in fact they let their number 1 player to get away with doping.

 

[Rosstour]

Lol why don't they just do doping test after every point? ATP here is just pretending to be serious about doping control when in fact they let their number 1 player to get away with doping.

Or, there was specific info directed at this player. I don't want to believe it either, but it's possible they had reason to do it right then and reason to believe that even after the match would be too late.

 

[FreeJannik]

Maybe there are banned substances with very short half life (minutes)... and athletes can use them during breaks for a temporary boost.... in the end the perfect doping chemical don't only need to enhance the performance bud need also to "disappear" in a relatively short time

 

[Rosstour]

Maybe there are banned substances with very short half life (minutes)... and athletes can use them during breaks for a temporary boost.... in the end the perfect doping chemical don't only need to enhance the performance bud need also to "disappear" in a relatively short time

I was gonna say this but it sounded too outlandish--a PED that can be peed out during a game? That's truly next level if true

 

[FreeJannik]

I was gonna say this but it sounded too outlandish--a PED that can be peed out during a game? That's truly next level if true

it's a diffcult topic... anyway substances with very short half life theorically may exists...
....if there are banned substances with these characteriscs is beyond my knowledge of the topic.

 

[Bartelby]

His orange pee at the bottom of the bowl gave him away.

 

[Rovesciarete]

As usually some people forget to think about the big stuff. How is it possible that anti-doping testers are not aware that toilet breaks exist? That a player might come out even if the game isn’t over?

We had quite a few cases where they didn’t make a decent enough effort to get through to the players and now some struggle with the basic rules of the game…

 

[Aabye5]

Mensik has played poorly in Jeddah.

One possibility is that this was a control week, and he wasn't on anything. With the bio passports, wouldn't a player be flagged if certain hormone levels suddenly dropped?

 

[TennisBro]

I fail to understand the reasons behind the mid-match testing. Why not do it before or after the match? Is it that there are substances that may be taken at a toilet break that wouldn't show in those tests after the match then?

 

[tennis3]

so mensik is already out of next gen finals ?

He's serving a 2 year ban