My Influences: Mensik looks to Sinner for inspiration
Slight in frame but big in game, Jannik Sinner has conquered the tennis world in 2024, winning two majors and becoming the first Italian to rise to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
#NextGenATP Czech Jakub Mensik has been a long-term admirer of Sinner and standing at 6’4″ and slim in build, the 19-year-old sees himself in the former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion.
Speaking to ATPTour.com as part of our Next Gen influences series, Mensik discusses Sinner’s game, his relationship with Czech legend Tomas Berdych and more.
[ATP APP]Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion do you most identify with?
The new generation is coming. With Sinner, Alcaraz and all of these young players, when I was practicing or trying to reach the ATP Tour, I saw they reached the level and it helps to see that. The game is always moving on and all the former Next Gen players, me and the other younger players are bringing something new.
I like Sinner. A tall player like me and he is still moving so well. It is similar to me in my opinion because I’m already tall and I can move well on the court. With the forehand, I have a similar technique and style to Jannik. I can’t be like Alcaraz because he’s smaller and stronger. I’m the guy who is skinnier. When you see a lot of tall guys now, they have a big serve and big weapons weapons. My serve is also a very big weapon.
Read more from our Influences series
Which former Next Gen champion did you enjoy watching most when growing up?
All of them because when you see the Next Gen Finals, it’s a big event. I think that a lot of the past champions are already at the top of the ATP Tour. I think Jannik [Sinner] was one of the first winners and he was also my age when he played the event and was at the same level as me when he played the event and is now the best player in the world. It’s nice to also watch the new players trying to bring something fresh to tennis.
Who have been your biggest other influences?
In my hometown, Tomas Berdych was practising all the time and when I started to play tennis, he was at his best level, so I started because of him. I watched him when I was at home. Then we had the Big 3 at the time and my favourite was Novak [Djokovic]. He is my idol.
Can you remember the first time you met Djokovic?
I think I was playing juniors at the US Open in 2021. I saw all of the players here. When I came to practise he was walking to do some fitness, so I saw him for 10 minutes and it was an unforgettable memory because I started basically because of Tomas Berdych, but Novak too as he was my idol. I watched him on the TV and the time I saw him for the first time was a wow moment.
What have you learned this past year on Tour?
That it is not about just victories. My motto is, we don’t lose. I knew at the beginning that it would be super difficult on the Tour. Every day, every week, you’re basically losing because at the end of the tournament there can be only one winner, one champion and it’s always like this. It is very tough to stay in week in and week out to be the champion. That’s the point of trusting the process. Working hard every day and be the best I can and then one day you will be the champion.
How influential have your parents been?
I have to say that from the beginning of my career, when I started with tennis, it was always my dad and I. All the time I had great people around me. Without my parents, I wouldn’t be here because they really support me. I’m really glad that I have them. It was my first coach first tennis coach who really showed me what tennis is. How to play and he basically showed me how to how to fall in love with tennis. Now my current coach, without him it would be impossible to be here. If it is family, coaches, my team, physio, fitness, everybody, we have a great spirit. That is key to be relaxed and play your best tennis.
What sort of attributes do you look for when bringing people into your team?
They need to push me forward. Because every time we visit these places, they say, ‘Look, you are here.’ Obviously they then have to push me forward to help me achieve my goals.