ROLAND GARROS

June 5, 2026

Jakub Mensik

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/J. Mensik

7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Jakub, bad luck today. How proud are you of what you achieved here at Roland Garros so far?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, well, I mean, even if today, if I win it, or, like, didn't finish with the victory overall, I would say, like, really great tournament, great experience.

I mean, right now of course I'm sad because of the loss, but hopefully in couple of hours, couple of days, I will look at that match or not just the match but the tournament overall in a positive way.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Nevertheless, a good tournament. It's very recent after the match, of course, but do you think it was more of a strategic loss today than technical? Would you rate it like that?

JAKUB MENSIK: Tough to say. Of course, I mean, today's match had a lot of stories, like always. Of course, Sascha is a very tough guy on the court. I mean, he's not giving you any free points.

It's very tough to find the rhythm, especially when he's staying so, so much back, you know, and you feel like you're hitting the wall.

So, yeah, it was for me very difficult to get into the rhythm, to get into my zone. I had my game plan, which was, you know, in some of the ways it was super tough to choose the right shot selection.

Yeah, obviously, you know, there were good moments, and of course a little bit worse moments in that match. But yeah, it is what it is, yeah.

Q. Could you just describe how you were feeling physically during the match, and also what the injury was that forced you off court?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah. First two sets, I mean, it was really tough for me, like I said, to find the rhythm, to find myself on the court. Physically and mentally, as well.

Like I'm saying, Sascha is a guy who is not giving you any rhythm so long between the rallies, and kind of I struggled to find the great rhythm and to find my zone, which I couldn't do it those two sets, which obviously leads to a little bit drop of energy.

And kind of, you know, physically I would say, of course, it's a long tournament. I recovered well those two days, but still, during the match, I felt like my left neck was getting a little bit stiffer.

I mean, I wouldn't say it's an injury or something that will get me out for a long time. But it was just at that moment that, you know, I felt a stiff neck, which didn't allow me to do some movements. So I would say of course it's a little discomfort during the match.

Yeah, I mean, it's nothing serious, and it's gonna be okay.

Q. (Off microphone.)

JAKUB MENSIK: Yes, exactly.

Q. Well, I understand you're sad, because, of course, it's difficult to swallow, but you played very well in most moments. You had three breakpoints to go up 5-3 in the first set, and one of them probably you could have attacked a little more. But it's difficult to play against a player who played for 75% his first serve. The percentage of his first serve, serving at 200 kilometers per hour was 75, three out of four. Do you think is that the key of the match, or few backhands that you missed when you seemed to be a little bit too much in a hurry, at least from my point of view?

JAKUB MENSIK: Well, a lot of question in one question (smiling). I understand. You don't have to repeat it. I understand everything well.

Yeah, of course Sascha's serve, it's a huge weapon, and of course in the first set, or overall, like, those two sets that I was talking about the zone and finding myself on the court, that was basically a lot about it, as well, because Sascha didn't allow me any basically, like, other opportunities, than that game. Like you said, that I had maybe if I would broke him, maybe it would go the opposite way.

But I spoke about it the other days and after every match, it's all just about the momentum. Unfortunately, the first set, even if I had the break ups, I mean, some breakpoints, he had it as well. He converted, and he was the one who took the momentum.

So, like, it's just about that. Of course, Sascha is, you know, third in the world for a reason. He's the guy who didn't allow you to be longer time in your side of the momentum.

So even if I had some great games and had some opportunities, still, with his huge serves and basically, you know, strong game from the baseline, it was super difficult for me to attack him, and of course, as well, like, to find the momentum and take the momentum on my side.

Q. You seem very sad, as you said. Is it because you feel like your game generally is up there with Sascha and the top guys that are, you know, in the top of the game?

JAKUB MENSIK: Sorry, again?

Q. If you feel like your game, even if today didn't work against Sascha, like, on a better day, maybe you're up there with them, with the top guys? Is that why you're so sad today?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, I mean, absolutely, there was a way definitely I could feel it, and I could feel it on the court that actually it wasn't, like, if I would lose three straight sets and basically he would kick my ass. I would probably, of course I would feel sad, as well, but in this way, I feel more like there were some, you know, how to call it, like, ways how to get it.

But like I'm saying, I mean, it was really tough for me to find it today, and yes, like I spoke with, with the right shot selection or maybe, like, to play the tactic, for example serve and volley or a lot of dropshots, you know, at the right moments, of course there were a lot of situation that those points won me a lot of games.

But, you know, unfortunately, as well, some of them didn't went that well. So, yes, I mean, if it would be, for example, tomorrow, after tomorrow, and I would play the same maybe with the better shot selection, I could be the one who could win it. But like I say, all credit to Sascha today. Like I'm saying, he kept his momentum, he kept his rhythm, and didn't allow me to take it from him.

Q. It's obviously one hour after the match point and you seem very disappointed, but can you talk about the positives you take out of this tournament?

JAKUB MENSIK: Yeah, absolutely. Of course I'm saying it's just couple of minutes after the match, so of course I'm still in there, but like I'm saying, tomorrow, couple of hours, maybe I would look at it from different point of view.

But, you know, right now when I think about what happened those two weeks, those last two weeks, of course this one match that I lost, even with a solid performance, it's, you know, still, there is many more positives about that.

So I'm, first of all, super happy that I could reach the semifinals and that I could beat a lot of top players. And actually, you know, there were a lot of tough moments that, you know, it was basically already done for me. But I stand up and I kept fighting, and I find a way how to win.

Also, when the momentum was on my side and I was in a good shape and I was really, you know, up in my game, I showed my best what is in me.

So, I mean, a lot of stories these two weeks, and when I'm talking about it and I'm keeping this rhythm two weeks, it's super, super tough. And especially, you know, I'm in a Grand Slam about playing with the top players. Especially for me, as well, because it's my first time, and a lot of things happen for the first time.

So I'm happy that I manage it quite well, and, yeah, I will take it as a great, great tournament.