Jakub Mensik Sees Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as ‘Superior’ to Everyone on ATP Tour

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be seen in action in an exhibition event, the Six Kings Slam, this month.

Jakub Mensik Sees Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as ‘Superior’ to Everyone on ATP Tour

Jannik Sinner, Jakub Mensik, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via X/ The Tennis Letter, Wikidata)

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have never faced Jakub Mensik, whose campaign in Shanghai was ended by Jesper De Jong in the second round. It ended another opportunity for Mensik to add his second Masters 1000 title to his name.

Mensik upset Novak Djokovic earlier this year to lift his career’s first ATP title at the Miami Open, but since then, he failed to reach another semifinal, making appearances in just three quarterfinals. But since the end of the Sunshine Doubles, only two players have dominated on the tour: Alcaraz and Sinner.

Right now, Carlos and Jannik are the best, then there’s a big gap with the others. Everyone is trying to catch them, and that’s our job. Honestly, today I see them as superior to us in every way: their consistency and their style of play are on another level, every shot makes the difference. I really have to improve in all aspects of my tennis to grow.

Jakub Mensik said (H/T: Ubitennis)

This season, Sinner and Alcaraz have featured in 17 combined titles, with the latter taking home eight of them. Except for the Halle Open (Sinner lost to Alexander Bublik) and Shanghai Masters (Sinner retired mid-match), they progressed to the finals of every tournament they played since the Miami Open.

I can’t make predictions. You can learn a lot from them in training, but facing them for the first time would be useful to understand how they act in every situation. I don’t feel like I have any expectations, but I’m willing to work hard.

Jakub Mensik added

Sinner and Alcaraz will next be featuring at the Six Kings Slam, scheduled to start on October 15. The Italian and the Spaniard met in the final last year, with Sinner taking home the $6 million prize money.

Because of his Shanghai withdrawal, it’s difficult for Sinner to dethrone the six-time Grand Slam champion from the No.1 ranking. The 22-year-old reclaimed his ranking after beating Sinner at the US Open.

Brad Gilbert claims players should not receive treatment for cramps after the Jannik Sinner incident in Shanghai

At present, players cannot take a medical timeout if they deal with cramps, though they are allowed to receive treatment during the change of ends. Jannik Sinner struggled to even walk due to cramps, with the blame given to the sweltering conditions in Shanghai.

Jannik Sinner (4)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

The ATP has finally agreed to come up with a heat rule, and the process of bringing that policy is underway. Although Coco Gauff‘s former coach, Brad Gilbert, advocates for the heat rule, he is not a fan of players receiving treatment for cramping. He wrote on X:

I know the @atptour is going to look at new heat rules for 26, one rule that should definitely be revisited there should be no treatment allowed for cramps not even on changeovers, also need to look at on opponent serve, also the time length of the MTO [medical timeout] is way too long.

Check out his post here:

Sinner was bidding to defend his title in Shanghai, which he clinched for the first time last year by beating Novak Djokovic. The Serb vomited multiple times during two matches because of the scorching conditions.

The Shanghai Masters was the sixth tournament Sinner could not defend. The only tournament where Sinner will play as the defending champion next is the ATP Finals. After the Six Kings Slam, the four-time Grand Slam champion will be participating at the Vienna Open, set to start on October 20.

Following the ATP 500 event, the last Masters 1000 of the season, the Paris Masters will start. Participation of the 24-year-old is uncertain. He also skipped the indoor hard-court event last year.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Seeks Credit From Novak Djokovic for his Heroic Performances in Shanghai