AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 22, 2026

Jakub Mensik

Press Conference

J. MENSIK/R. Jodar

6-2, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Jakub, congratulations on progressing. How were you feeling out on court today?

JAKUB MENSIK: Thank you. Yeah, today, to be honest, a little bit different conditions than two days ago. It was much more colder, a little bit windy.

So, yeah, it was a mental, mental game. Also, physical, because ball was -- we played five sets the run before. So, yeah, it was quite different than the first run.

Yeah, I'm happy with the way I managed the time and how did I play on the court today. So, yeah, overall I'm pretty, pretty happy with my performance today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It must be very pleasing to have closed out the match in such a commanding manner.

JAKUB MENSIK: Sorry?

Q. It must have been very pleasing to close out the match in such a commanding manner today compared to your first match.

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, of course, I'm happier that I was not playing that long. Of course, the first match was, for me, super, like, physically -- it was very tough, and this one, obviously, you know, I'm super happy that especially after the first match, that I spent a little bit less time on the court.

Of course, yeah, it's always easier to win in the three sets and in one and a half hours than spend around four and a half. So I'm happy that I could also manage my energy and keep it for the next rounds.

Q. You won 80% of first-serve points today, 26 unforced errors. Did you feel a lot more in control today, as well?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, I felt comfortable in the serve, and because of the wind and of the conditions, of course, maybe a little bit more mistakes, or I don't know, like -- but, yeah, it was more like -- yeah.

Q. It's only the second time you've faced someone younger than yourself outside of Next Gen Finals. You've been around a couple of years on tour now. Is it starting to feel different now that you're starting to face some of these younger guys?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, absolutely. It's a great, great, great thing to see, again, like, new players coming up on tour.

I mean, I've been saying that all the time, even two years ago when I was the one that was coming up, and I was, you know, a lot of expectations, a lot of media stuff, and blah, blah, blah.

Then, of course, I've been telling myself, it's just one year. Then the other years, they're all becoming new guys. So, of course, it's always good for our sport that there is always someone new, and you don't know what to expect.

Rafa, I mean, he showed really, really good performance, good run here in AO. Even before in Canberra he won couple of Challengers before. So, yeah, it's great to see him. Great to see all of them coming on tour and coming to compete. Of course, yeah -- just that, yeah.

Q. From playing in cold winds today, potentially 40 degree heat on Saturday, how often do you have to manage these kind of challenges? Such wild weather within the same tournament.

JAKUB MENSIK: It's going to be tough, that's for sure. Of course, it's just the weather forecast. With the new heat rule, obviously it's going to be much more easier, much more pleasant than before. But, still, 40 degrees, it's a lot, so let's see how it will be.

But I am saying, I mean, it can be difficult that one day you are playing when it's 20 degrees, and the other one in two days it will be 40.

So I'm excited for that. I'm looking forward for that. Let's see what's going to happen.