Jakub Mensik Narrowly Avoids Default After Sending his Racket into the Crowd at Queen’s Club

Jakub Mensik has not been able to showcase the form that made him a Miami Open champion.

Jakub Mensik Narrowly Avoids Default After Sending his Racket into the Crowd at Queen’s Club

Jakub Mensik sent his racket flying (via Tennis.com)

Jakub Mensik was involved in a controversial moment during his match against Roberto Bautista Agut at Queen’s. After failing to convert a break point, he attempted to throw his racket in frustration. However, it slipped from his hand and flew into the stands on the Andy Murray Arena. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The Czech player received a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. Commentators suggested he was fortunate to avoid a harsher punishment. If the racket had struck someone, Mensik could have been disqualified immediately. The incident raised questions about the consistency of such rulings.

Mensik had won the first set 6-3 against the experienced Spaniard. But in the second set, he went down an early break and was trailing 1-3. During a key moment, he missed break point opportunities, leading to his emotional outburst.

After the racket incident, Mensik appeared surprised, checking his hand as if it wasn’t intentional. Still, commentators debated whether intention mattered in such cases. Umpire James Keothavong issued a warning, and many felt the 18-year-old narrowly avoided a serious penalty.

Jakub Mensik loses to Roberto Bautista Agut

Roberto Bautista Agut pulled off an impressive comeback against Jakub Mensik in Round 2 of the Queen’s Club Championships. The veteran Spaniard rallied after losing the first set to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. His victory sends him to the quarterfinals and brings back memories of his strong run at the same event in 2016.

Jakub Mensik
Jakub Mensik (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

The match was delayed for five hours due to rain, testing both players’ patience and focus. At 37, Bautista Agut used his experience to manage the difficult conditions. Mensik, ranked No. 17 and known for his 2025 Miami Open title, couldn’t maintain control on the slippery grass.

Despite a powerful start and a recent win over Novak Djokovic, Mensik struggled with the surface and signs of an old knee issue. Grass courts demand quick movement and precision, areas where Bautista Agut excelled. He saved a match point and gradually shifted the match in his favor with smart play and strong defense.

This win is a bright spot in a tough 8-15 season for Bautista Agut. With Wimbledon approaching, his form on grass is a positive sign. For Mensik, the match is a valuable lesson as he continues adjusting to the grass season and builds experience at the top level.

Roberto Bautista Agut rewinds the clock

Spanish star Roberto Bautista Agut seems have to have rolled back the years with his performance against Jakub Mensik in Halle. The Spaniard has always been a typical player from his country who everyone finds it tough to play against.

Roberto Bautista-Agut
Roberto Bautista-Agut (via The Tennis Letter)

Bautista-Agut has developed an ability of being gritty from the baseline, which makes it difficult for players to get through him. One of them was Novak Djokovic, who lost to him three times on the ATP Tour.

Out of those three wins, two of them were consecutive which came at Doha 2019 and then the Miami Open 2019. In both of those matches, Bautista Agut came back from a set down to beat the former World No.1.

With performances like this in Queen’s, it shows that Spanish tennis does have life beyond Carlos Alcaraz. After all, Bautista Agut has played the Wimbledon semifinals in 2019.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Believes He Doesn’t Have Any “Mental Advantage” over Arch-Rival Jannik Sinner