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Jonas Forejtek: “Special” youngster makes mark on ATP Tour


Jonas Forejtek made an impressive ATP Tour debut at the Sofia Open.

The nineteen-year-old Czech may not be a household name, but the world number 399 made an immediate impact on the professional tour this week. A former junior world number one, Forejtek dismissed Grand Slam winner Marin Cilic 6-3 6-2 in Sofia, before losing to Richard Gasquet in the last sixteen.

The youngster’s performance in Sofia led commentator Nick Lester to describe Forejtek as “special” and claimed, “You wouldn’t think it was his first match on the main tour, the way he conducted himself”.

After winning the 2019 junior US Open title, Forejtek cited previous champions Felix Auger-Aliassime and Grigor Dimitrov as inspiration for his own pathway from junior tennis to the ATP Tour. Speaking after that win, Forejtek said, “I think it’s motivation… [but] I have to work hard to get at least close to them”.

The hard work is showing for the Czech, who jumped over a hundred ranking places in 2020 – despite the coronavirus severely restricting tournaments and travel. Although Forejtek still competes primarily on the ITF Futures Tour, the run in Sofia could act as a platform for more success on the main ATP Tour in 2021.

In a recent interview with the Functional Tennis Podcast, Forejtek stated his determination to, “be much stronger physically” and “to do everything more professionally. I will not have drop downs… I want to have my constant level on a bit higher level than it used to be”.

Forejtek will aim to compete at the Australian Open in January, the first Grand Slam of the year and a chance to add to the ranking points accumulated in Sofia. Already an Australian Open junior doubles champion, the young Czech will be looking to replicate the success of his junior career on the professional circuit in 2021. Based on this scintillating debut, few would bet against it.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.