Czech player Jakub Mensik had a tough day during his match yesterday. In an unexpected turn of events, this ATP star was called for a doping trial in the middle of the game, leaving everyone including the chair umpire utterly shocked and frustrated. Unsurprisingly, the incident sparked a major controversy. Adding to the drama, American player Christopher Eubanks stepped in to explain what might have happened in this case. Meanwhile, Victoria Azarenka voiced her support for Mensik through Eubnks’ opinion and highlighted that it was nothing more than sheer bad luck for the young Czech player that day.

Azarenka supported Christopher Eubanks’ opinion about the ordeal Jakub Mensik faced during his 2024 ATP Next Gen Finals match. Mensik was playing against Arthur Fils in the second group stage and struggling to gain the upper hand over his French opponent. However, the tension rose during the toilet break after the second set when Mensik was asked for an anti-doping test. Mensik initially frustrated with the request, expressed the same to the chair umpire Nacho Forcadell. Displeased with the test’s timing,  Forcadell reached out to the committee expressing his objection to the situation. Now, American ATP star Christopher Eubanks has dropped his perspective.

“As long as you are not in the course of a match, yes, they can, that’s what its whereabouts is about. But to come up to a player in a toilet break, after in the midst of a match and say ‘hey you have a doping test,’ I think its just came down to somebody didn’t understand the rules. I think it clearly Mensik must have had a doping test after the match, that’s specifically how it happens. Post-match you have to do your doping test that’s probably a bit of a miscommunication when he came into the locker room and the doping person didn’t understand the match was not over so they asked him to do a doping test,” Eubanks said when asked whether any athlete can be called for such proceedings during a match.

Eubanks’s statement highlighted that it might have been a misunderstanding on the doping trial supervisor’s end who thought the match was over seeing Mensik in the locker room. Eubanks explained that whenever they walk off the court they find doping trial supervisors with a clipboard, narrating them the process. However, he believed since the Chair umpire also opposed this, it seemed like a clear misunderstanding that might not be repeated intentionally in the future. Azarenka supported Eubanks’ logic and shared his interview with the Tennis Channel on X. “Chris is so good @chris_eubanks96,” she wrote expressing her appreciation for Eubanks’ ability to explain the situation so well. 

On the other hand, Fils maintained his composure and overpowered Mensik 4-2, 4-3 (4), and 4-2. Mensik also lost another group stage match against Learner Tien. Despite the recent setbacks, this ATP star had a great 2024  ending the year in the top 50.

Jakub Mensik finished the year in the top 50 after starting the season outside rank 150

The young Czech player showed an impressive improvement by qualifying for the 2024 Next Gen Finals in Jeddah. Starting the season as ATP 167, he soon made his Major debut at the Australian Open and garnered much attention after a remarkable win against Denis Shapovalov in the first round. Mensik then participated in the Qatar Open and surprised the fraternity by reaching the finals. He also fought well against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Andy Murray, Andrey Rublev, and Gael Monfils to reach the finals when Karen Khachonov overpowered him. Mensik also participated in the Croatia Open and reached its semifinals. He then reached the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals, the Vienna Open, and the Mallorca Championships. He also stunned everyone by offering a great performance in the US Open’s third round. Following such an impressive record, he reached the ATP 48 rank of 167, showing great brilliance in the sport.

Jakub Mensik’s case might be a misunderstanding but it surely is something that should be avoided – so that players can freely concentrate on their games. Christopher Eubanks highlighted this fact and revealed the hardships athletes face in the sports.