"He's a great guy and champion":​​ Jakub Mensik praises Jannik Sinner after beating the world No. 2 in Qatar Open, reveals celebration plans

Jakub Menšík is no longer just the teenager who stunned the world No. 2 in Doha – he is now speaking about it. After beating Jannik Sinner at the Qatar Open, the 19-year-old Czech has shared his thoughts on the biggest win of his career so far. The result quickly became one of the most talked-about moments on the ATP Tour this week, with fans replaying the highlights and debating what it means for both players. Sinner is not just any opponent. He is one of the most consistent stars in men’s tennis and the second-highest-ranked player in the world behind Carlos Alcaraz. When someone that established loses in a major tournament, people notice. When the player on the other side of the net is 19, the buzz only grows louder.Jakub Menšík, calm but definitely proud, looked back at the moment afterward. Before stepping onto court, he had full respect for the challenge in front of him. "Before the match, I knew Jannik's qualities. He is a great guy and a great champion. What he has accomplished in his young career is impressive. I knew it was going to be a tough match. Even with that in mind, I stepped onto the court with a winning mentality and determination to chase the triumph. I served well, even when the conditions became slower in the latter part of the duel." He admitted there were swings during the contest but spoke of how he regrouped. "My energy dropped a bit in the second set, but I recovered after a bathroom break. I served well again in the third set, and I'm happy with my performance. I scored a great win, but I have to stay focused and play well in the semi-final against Arthur. I will celebrate the win a bit before returning to my daily routine," Jakub Mensik said.On the other side of the net, Sinner addressed the defeat with honesty. The 2001-born star acknowledged a slight dip in his level. "Every player faces ups and downs," he said, adding, "I've had two incredible years, and now I'm having a little downturn, but it's not something that worries me. I know I can play better tennis, but Jakub played and served really well. We all have ups and downs in our jobs, so I'm not worried. We try to improve in every tournament I enter: I'd like to go as far as possible, but it's normal to go through some tough times; I've had even tougher ones in the past. I know how to come back."Fresh off a stellar 2025 that included Australian Open and Wimbledon titles and finals at Roland Garros and the US Open, Sinner claims a spot firmly among the elite. He also reminded fans that his long-term target is still clear. "One of my biggest goals will be Roland Garros, but that goal is still far away," Sinner added. "We've seen that all players have struggled throughout their careers, but I wouldn't call this 'fatigue' yet (smiles), I've only lost a couple of matches."Sinner could next play at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, although his participation has not yet been confirmed.For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Menšík.