Czech star retuns to ASB Classic tennis
- Dave Worsley
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
The youngest men's tennis player in the world’s top 20, Jakub Mensik, is returning to the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Mensik, who has just turned 20, is the biggest mover among the world’s top 50 ranked players in 2025, and is sure to garner much support at the tournament in January.
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The Czech player beat Pablo Carreno Busta (Spain) and pre-tournament favourite Ben Shelton in Auckland this year edging the American 7-5 in an exciting third set before losing his quarterfinal in a third-set tiebreak.
“Winning in Auckland against Ben Shelton was a special moment for me,” said Mensik. “At the time I had not beaten many guys in the top-20 so in the second round and early in the season, this gave me a lot of confidence. I remember that match. It was spectacular and the atmosphere out there around the court was great. I had so much fun and I’m looking forward to see you guys again.”
The season exploded for Mensik when he won his maiden Masters 1000 in Miami defeating Novak Djokovic in two tiebreak sets in the final.
“Winning the Masters 1000 in Miami was a huge moment in my career – and beating Novak in the final made it more special as he was my idol when I was young. Since that moment I started to produce good performances in other tournaments because Miami gave me a boost in my confidence.”
ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said the tournament is thrilled to have attracted Mensik back to Auckland.
“Jakub is a young player of enormous ability. He has size and an impressive game with a powerful serve and brilliant backhand,” said ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin.
“Jakub is one of a handful of young players with genuine star-quality and we are thrilled that he is returning to Auckland. In Jakub, kiwi fans have the chance to see one of the world’s most impressive young players who seems destined to reach the top in our sport.”
Mensik has a 31-19 win-loss record to date this year and reached a career-high 16th on the world rankings.
“Before the season, if someone told me I would do this well, then I would have taken it for sure. There is not just one key to this, but every small detail and all the hard work you put in adds up. It doesn’t matter if you reach the top 20 at the age of 19 or later – it is a good feeling. I want to be up there at any age.”
He learned the game from the age of five, progressing through the ITF ranks with four wins in 2022, with his first Challenger win coming in Prague the following year, before he burst on to the ATP Tour scene last year.
“Coming back to New Zealand I know I will have great matches there in my preparation for Melbourne. I really like the New Zealand people and I found myself treated so well last year.
“To be honest I did not know much about Auckland but overall in New Zealand the nature is spectacular and so beautiful. If there is something like this with Auckland, then I will be up for everything.”
Lamperin said he is in the final negotiations for several other key players to add further to an impressive and exciting list of players heading to Auckland.
