Jakub Mensik Triumphs Over French Crowd at Roland Garros

PARIS, France—Jakub Mensik faced a tough mental challenge during his first-round match at Roland Garros on May 27, 2025, against French player Alexandre Muller. The 19-year-old managed to silence the raucous crowd as he secured a win, employing tactics inspired by his idol, Novak Djokovic.

Mensik started strongly, claiming the first set before the crowd ramped up its support for Muller. Drawing motivation from Djokovic, who is known for thriving under crowd pressure, Mensik focused on convincing himself that the cheers were for him. “I was just repeating in my head that they are cheering for me,” he said after the match.

As the contest intensified, Mensik mimicked one of Djokovic’s famous gestures, playfully conducting the crowd while daring them to raise their volume. “I’m just trying to focus that they are shouting my name actually,” he added, emphasizing his ability to turn the atmosphere into a source of strength.

Mensik’s mental strategy paid off as he clinched a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3. “It’s such a great experience,” he commented on the lively crowd, acknowledging that playing in front of such energy added to the match’s excitement.

Moving onto the second round, Mensik will face Portuguese qualifier Henrique Rocha on Thursday. Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Roland Garros continues to be a challenge for non-French players, who often feel the intense backing given to local competitors.

Novak Djokovic, who is set to play in the second round as well, acknowledged the unique Parisian environment, saying, “They’re going to have the crowd on their side.” He added that this can create a daunting atmosphere for opponents, but players must be prepared to manage that pressure.