Andre Agassi Questions Jakub Mensik’s Decision to Bring in Mental Coach for Roland Garros Semifinals

Andre Agassi was left disappointed after watching the semifinal of the French Open between Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik. Sashca clinched a 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win to book his spot in the Roland Garros final for the second time in his career.

Mensik, 20, was aiming to become the youngest finalist in the clay-court Major since Rafael Nadal in 2006. Agassi, even though he knows that the Czech ace had gone through a lot physically and mentally earlier in the tournament (he collapsed due to cramps at the end of his second-round match), was not impressed by Mensik’s display, calling the semifinal a “somewhat disappointing match“. Agassi also questioned Mensik’s decision to bring in his mental coach for the semifinal.

I’m not a big fan of bringing in a mental coach in the semifinals of a Slam. You’re supposed to bring in your mom at that stage. […] It seems like there’s only a downside for that mental coach.

Andre Agassi said on TNT Sports US

Before this Roland Garros, Mensik had never made it past the fourth round of a Major, reaching the stage just once (in this year’s Australian Open). In the quarterfinals on this event, he beat Joao Fonseca in a convincing fashion.

But I have to say that if I was Mensik and if I flew my mental coach in first class, he’s going back coach! Or make him walk back or something, because he had 3-4 first set, 15-40, he had an opportunity with the forehand, and laid off of it a little bit. At 4-4, he gets four shanks in a row off Zverev’s forehand. I think all of a sudden, he started to realize maybe making this match difficult is a real possibility.

Andre Agassi said

Zverev has set up the French Open final against first-time Major finalist Flavio Cobolli, who received the walkover from compatriot Matteo Arnaldi. The 25-year-old withdrew because of a viral illness.

Andrea Collarini slams Alexander Zverev for his controversial statement

During his on-court interview after defeating Jakub Mensik, Alexander Zverev made a controversial comment when asked what goes through his mind when he steps onto the court and his name is announced. Zverev’s answer was, “pure emptiness,” and that athletes don’t have anything in their heads, and so, “sometimes, it’s easier to be stupid and not to think too much.”

The German ace is facing heavy criticism for his statement, with former WTA World No.11 Alize Cornet telling him to only speak for himself and not disrespect other athletes. And now, Argentine ATP player Andrea Collarini took to Instagram to criticize him.

It’s not the first time he’s said it. Just because you play in the Roland Garros final doesn’t give you the right to speak for everyone. What a silly guy.

Andrea Collarini wrote on Instagram

Andrea Collarini criticó a Zverev, que en su nota post partido había declarado esto:

“Somos atletas. Normalmente no tenemos demasiado en la cabeza. A veces es más fácil ser estúpido”.

Lo que escribió el zurdo argentino:

“No es la primera vez que lo dice. Que juegues la final… pic.twitter.com/5ZClRgeQy6

— Gonzalo Ferreyra (@gonzaloferreyr) June 5, 2026

Zverev, who now holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over Mensik, will be hoping to improve his head-to-head record over Flavio Cobolli to 4-1. They already met twice this season, with Zverev winning their last match in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. Cobolli went past the three-time Major finalist in the semifinal of the Munich Open, before losing the final to Ben Shelton.

The Italian ace has already won one title this season, the Mexican Open, by defeating Frances Tiafoe. But Zverev has not yet tasted success since winning the 2025 Munich Open.

He, in fact, will be playing in his second final of the season after the Madrid Open, where he got dismantled by World No.1 Jannik Sinner. In the 2024 French Open final, Zverev lost a five-set battle to Carlos Alcaraz.

Also read: Venus Williams Backs Maja Chwalinska to Complete Fairytale Run at Roland Garros: “It’s Definitely a Cinderella Story”