Jakub Mensik’s promising Australian Open campaign has come to an end.
The 20-year-old, who has been tipped to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, has withdrawn from the Australian Open only a day before his scheduled round of 16 match against Novak Djokovic.
Mensik, the Miami Masters champion, had enjoyed an excellent run in Melbourne, defeating Pablo Carreno Busta, Rafael Jodar and, Ethan Quinn on his way to the fourth round.
Unfortunately for the Czech star, his Australian Open race has been run; and the 20-year-old took to social media to explain his impending absence.
Who has impressed you most so far at the Australian Open?
Jakub Mensik withdraws from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury
In a post on his Instagram story, Mensik said: “This is a tough one to write. After doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has progressed over the last matches.
“After a long discussions with my team and doctors we decided not to step on court tomorrow.
“Even though I’m disappointed, making the fourth round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time.
“I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special.
“Thank you to my team for being with me every step, and to everyone sending messages and cheering – it means more than you know. Now it’s time to recover properly.”
Mensik’s withdrawal means Novak Djokovic will progress to the quarter-final stage, where he will face Lorenzo Musetti or Taylor Fritz.
Djokovic, 38, is aiming to win an 11th Australian Open title in Melbourne; one that would see him surpass Margaret Court and become the winningest Grand Slam singles champion in tennis history.
Novak Djokovic would be the undisputed GOAT if he won Grand Slam number 25 – could anyone argue otherwise?
Novak Djokovic’s record against Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti
Novak Djokovic has been handed a huge boost in his search for another Australian Open title.
With Djokovic struggling physically during various matches in 2025, an automatic place in the Australian Open quarter-finals may prove the difference in his quest for the title.
The Serbian superstar has a dominant record against both of his potential quarter-final opponents, having only lost one match in 21 attempts against the pair.
Djokovic has an 11-0 record against Fritz. Djokovic last defeated the American in the 2025 US Open quarter-finals, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
As for Musetti, Djokovic has lost to the Italian once in 10 attempts: at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.
The pair last contested a match in the 2025 Athens Open final. Djokovic won the contest 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
