Jakub Mensik Shares Valuable Novak Djokovic Lessons After Reaching Roland Garros Semifinals: “I Observed Many Things About His Work Ethic”

Jakub Mensik has set up his Roland Garros semifinal against Alexander Zverev. Mensik, on Tuesday (June 2), eliminated Joao Fonseca in straight sets to reach his career’s first Grand Slam semifinal.

It was Fonseca because of whom Novak Djokovic failed to go beyond the third round. The Serb, despite winning the first two sets, couldn’t capitalize on his lead and ended up crashing out in the early rounds of a Major for the first time since the 2024 US Open. Mensik has met Djokovic twice. The youngster lost to him in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Shanghai Masters, but beat him in the final of the 2025 Miami Open.

They were also scheduled to meet in the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open, but the Czech ace withdrew. At the press conference after his win over Fonseca, Mensik talked about what he has learned from the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

I have a very good relationship with Novak. Whenever we have the chance, we talk, and I try to learn as much as possible from him. When I was younger, I observed many things about his work ethic and competitiveness.

Before the French Open, Mensik had made the fourth round of a Major just once (in this year’s Australian Open). He made his French Open debut last year and made the second round.

Having the opportunity to spend time with someone like him is very valuable for any player. Of course, we talk about tennis and many other things. I try to absorb all the experience I can because he has achieved practically everything in this sport.

Jakub Mensik added

Djokovic, for the first time since 2009, couldn’t make it past the third round of the French Open. In this year’s Australian Open, he reached the final (his first Major final since the 2024 Wimbledon), but he lost the match to Carlos Alcaraz.

Jakub Mensik on whether he has started to see himself as a title contender

Apart from Jakub Mensik, the other player to reach the semifinals is Alexander Zverev, following his victory over Rafael Jodar. Flavio Cobolli, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Matteo Berrettini, and Matteo Arnaldi are the other four quarterfinalists. Mensik, at the press conference after his latest win, was asked whether he had started to see himself as a contender for the clay-court Major.

You train every day and make all the sacrifices that this sport demands to experience these moments. I am immensely thankful for the opportunity to be here and to play at the level I am showing. I feel healthy, focused, and in very good shape. When you reach a Grand Slam semifinal, only four players remain. At this stage, the difference between everyone is very small, and anyone can beat anyone.

None of these quarterfinalists has won a Major, and only one of them has played in the final. It’s Zverev, the three-time Major finalist, who also finished as the runner-up at the 2024 French Open, losing to Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion who skipped this year’s Paris Major and will not be playing at Wimbledon due to a wrist injury.

Zverev and Mensik have already met once. They clashed in the fourth round of this year’s Madrid Open, which Sascha won in three sets. He made the final and lost the match to Sinner.

Zverev has yet to win a title since last year’s Munich Open win. Mensik has already won one trophy this year. He clinched the ASB Classic by defeating Sebastian Baez. Zverev will play in the French Open semifinals for the fifth time in his career.

Also read: Maja Chwalinska Stays Humble Despite Roland Garros Quarterfinal Run: “I Am Still the Player with Lowest Ranking”