By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Photo credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty
Boxing legend and enthusiastic tennis player Sugar Ray Leonard once depicted his adopted sport as “boxing without violence.”
While boxing embodies brutality, tennis showcases the finesse of athleticism.
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This year’s Australian Open is witnessing a thrilling surge as promising young talents redefine the game.
Nineteen-year-old Jakub Mensik showcased his prowess by unleashing an astonishing 62 winners to defeat sixth seed Casper Ruud with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, marking his maiden appearance in the Australian Open’s third round.
Teenagers have been the stars of this tournament, showcasing their skills and determination.
Mensik’s emphatic victory over a former US Open finalist came just a day after 18-year-old Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca stunned ninth seed Andrey Rublev with a score of 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) during his first major main draw appearance, delivering a remarkable 51 winners.
Already one of the fiercest competitors on the Tour, Mensik improved his record against Top 10 rivals to 5-4, celebrating his third visit to a Grand Slam third round.
Another bright prospect, 19-year-old Learner Tien, aims to join the ranks of teenagers advancing to the third round as he prepares to face fifth seed Daniil Medvedev on Thursday at Margaret Court Arena.
The path to glory appears paved for the new generation, as Mensik reflects.
“All the young competitors here, as well as those absent, are striving to reach higher levels,” he shared with the media in Melbourne. “Look at Jannik and Carlos, who were teenagers just two years ago. We see an opportunity to follow in their footsteps and aspire to compete at their level.”
“For me, this is a chance to continue improving and striving for greatness. It’s exciting to see fresh talents emerging in tennis.”
“The evolution of tennis is evident; new names and faces are gracing tournaments. This revitalization is fantastic for the sport, the fans, and the overall landscape.”
So, why is this happening now?
World No. 48 Mensik credits their collective experience at the Next Gen ATP Finals last December as a crucial preparatory step for success in Melbourne.
Fonseca triumphed over Mensik at the Next Gen Finals, ultimately defeating Tien for the championship title. Another rising star, American Alex Michelsen, who also competed in the Next Gen ATP Finals, managed to defeat 11th-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in his Australian Open debut.
“Having the Next Gen Finals right before the holidays allowed us to enter the season already battle-tested,” Mensik explained. “We gained valuable match experience, which was undeniably beneficial.”
“The early tournament action let us hit the ground running when we arrived at the Grand Slam.”
The 6’4″ Mensik is determined to maintain his momentum as he faces Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in pursuit of reaching his first Grand Slam fourth round.
