DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 20, 2025

Jakub Mensik

Team Czechia

Press Conference

J. MENSIK/P. Carreno Busta

7-5, 6-4

Team Czechia - 1

Team Spain - 0

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with questions for Jakub.

Q. There were some tight moments in that match, especially in the first set. What do you think got you through to get that first set and eventually close it out?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, it's been a tough situation. I mean, of course whole match. Yeah, morning match at 10 am. I don't remember the last time I played that early. But it's Davis Cup. For everyone it was the same.

Yeah, the energy and the atmosphere of the crowd and of the Davis Cup gave me really good energy. Even in the first set that he broke me up, like the first one, I knew that I had the opportunities on the return. My serve was pretty strong throughout the whole game, throughout the whole match. I'm just glad that I kept the energy and the focus throughout the whole match.

Yeah, I broke him back in the first one. It was a crucial part for me because, of course, first set is always important.

I'm just glad that I kept it up.

Q. Recently in the press conference of Pablo, he stated that you are the strongest number two player out of all of the teams here in the Davis Cup Finals. What does it say to you that almost all the players here think you're such a strong player and have so much confidence that you're going to deliver that level here?

JAKUB MENSIK: I mean, of course our team is pretty strong. Jiri, obviously me and Tomas, we have very good potential. Yeah, we are all young, very hungry. Of course I'm just doing my job. It's great.

I'm just glad that I can help my team in this way.

Q. How many hours of sleep do you like to get? When do you normally wake up, if this is early for you?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, I mean, obviously if I will play ITF futures, I would wake up one hour before. We are in Davis Cup. Even on the Grand Slams.

When you are waking up for the first match, drive here to the club, it's pretty long. I mean, of course I like to sleep. Normally for me it will be good to sleep at least till 7. Today the alarm 5:30, it's not that good for the match, I guess.

Q. 5:30?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, of course.

Q. On a more serious point, your serve... When you go up to the line to serve, are you thinking more placement or speed?

JAKUB MENSIK: Both placement and speed is the best combo, I would say (smiling).

No, of course, with my height, the speed is much more easier for me to create. Of course, the placement, it's something that you have to be precise, that you have to learn.

Obviously those both sections, I go for both.

Q. What kind of advice do you like to get from Tomas on the bench? Are you asking him for tactical advice or more emotional and mental support?

JAKUB MENSIK: I would say that emotional, mental support is the most important thing. Tactic-wise, technically-wise, it's so, so difficult to, I don't know, not just to me but to all of the players. When they are on the court, they are playing.

Because he was there, he was a player as well 10 years ago, he was in these big matches, he had the experience from that, so he knows how it feels like.

Yeah, the work that he's doing on the bench, it's incredible and it's great. Like I'm saying, he just gave emotional and, like, mental support. That's all what you need in that situation.

Q. Continuing on with that point, when you say 'emotional support, mental support', what is he actually saying to you when he's almost in your face talking to you?

JAKUB MENSIK: I mean, of course if I'm winning and playing really great, he's saying nothing because it's like nothing to say, just keep it up.

Of course, for example, when I have break down in the first set, 3-4, it's just talking to me like the other coaches do to the others.

I mean, there is nothing specific that he will say, of course. I will keep it for myself.