Jakub Mensik bizarrely asked to take doping test mid-match during Next-Gen ATP Finals

World No. 48 Jakub Mensik was frustrated as he was asked to give a urine sample during his match against Arthur Fils.

Jakub Mensik bizarrely asked to take doping test mid-match during Next-Gen ATP Finals

Jakub Mensik (Image via X)

A bizarre scene was witnessed when Czech player Jakub Mensik was locking horns with top seed Arthur Fils in the round-robin stage on Thursday (December 19) at the Next-Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. Mensik was asked to take an anti-doping test which sparked controversy.

The 19-year-old lost the first two sets after which he asked for a toilet break. Much to the dismay of the youngster, he was asked to give a sample for the doping test. After his return, a frustrated Mensik complained to the chair umpire Nacho Forcadell who himself looked shocked.

YouTube video

Someone from anti-doping in the middle of the break wanted to test him now, and that delayed everything. So if you could talk to them, that should not happen.

Nacho Forcadell said

Mensik eventually went on to lose the match with a scoreline of 4-2, 4-3(7-4), 4-2. He is now on the verge of elimination as he has already lost the first match he played against fifth-seed Learner Tien. Mensik will next face eighth seed Joao Fonseca from Brazil on Friday (December 20).

Christopher Eubanks reacts after Jakub Mensik’s doping test controversy

Christopher Eubanks, who has been covering the Next-Gen ATP Finals for the Tennis Channel, said authorities have the right to ask the players before and after the match but not during the match.

Jakub Mensik
Jakub Mensik (Image via X)

He thinks the reason why Jakub Mensik was asked to give a sample during the match was because the person who was given the responsibility of handling the job didn’t know the rules.

Well, as long as you’re not in the course of a match, yes they can. That’s what whereabouts is about, but to come up to a player during a toilet break in the midst of a match and say, ‘Hey, you have a doping test’, I think it just came down to somebody didn’t understand the rules.

Christopher Eubanks told Tennis Channel

Mensik started his year as the World No. 167 but will be finishing the season in the top 50. He made his Grand Slam debut last year at the US Open and reached the third round. Mensik also played in three Major events this year, reached the final of the Qatar Open, and made deep runs in several tournaments.

At the 2024 Australian Open, he beat Denis Shapovalov in straight sets before losing to Hubert Hurkacz in five sets. He then lost to Alexander Bublik in five sets at Wimbledon, while at the US Open, he again progressed to the third round.