AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 25, 2026

Jakub Mensik

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/J. Mensik

W/O

Q. Jakub, sad news for all of your fans. Can you describe what the issue is and when you started to notice?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, well, I mean, unfortunate decision to make for me. After last couple of matches, I started to feel worse, and actually the problem is my abdominal muscle on the left side.

Like I said, last few matches it got significantly worse, and I think if I would step on the court tomorrow, it would be such a big risk for me for my next weeks, for my next tournaments, and actually for my health.

Q. I'm sure you must be gutted not being able to play Novak Djokovic, your idol, in the next match, but also, what are the positives you are taking out of this, because you made it into the fourth round here for the first time?

JAKUB MENSIK: Absolutely. The fact that my fourth-round match was to be against Novak on Rod Laver Arena makes it even more difficult. So, of course, I'm super sad not to step on the court and to compete against my idol and the G.O.A.T.

So, yeah, it's very tough. Like you said, I mean, reaching fourth round, second week of the Grand Slam for the first time, it's something that I will take with me, for sure. Of course, I will do my best to come back again and to come back stronger.

Q. Recover well. Thank you.

JAKUB MENSIK: Thank you.