Mats Wilander has been seeking out future champions at the French Open this year.
Wilander knows what it takes to win the French Open, lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires on three occasions in his decorated career.
One of the players in contention for this year’s French Open title is world number one Jannik Sinner, who Wilander was impressed by after his opening round win.
However, there was another more under-the-radar star that Wilander believes could challenge for the clay court major in the future.
Mats Wilander believes that Jakub Mensik can win the French Open in the future
That player is Jakub Mensik, who won his first match ever at the French Open after beating Alexandre Muller, 7-5 6(5)-7 7-5 6-3, in his first round match.
The Czech teenager has already had a breakout season in 2025, with Mensik winning the Miami Open title after beating Novak Djokovic in the final.
Mensik is currently the world number 19, and Wilander believes that he can go all the way in Paris in future years.
“Jakub Mensik is only 19 years old and an unbelievably good player for someone so young, he has a lot of power,” Wilander said on TNT Sports. “Alexandre Muller has played great in the last two months especially on clay.
“It was a tough draw and a great win for Mensik. We are looking at someone who can win a Grand Slam here in a few years with Jakub Mensik.”
Jakub Mensik’s Best Grand Slam Results
The French Open was the final Grand Slam tournament that Mensik had to play, having missed the Paris major last year due to an elbow injury.
It has been a mixed clay court season for the 19-year-old, with Mensik’s best result coming at the Madrid Open where he reached the quarter-finals.
Mensik’s first round victory at the French Open means that Wimbledon is the only major tournament he is yet to win a match at.
His best performing Grand Slam tournament to date is the US Open, having reached the third round in both of the last two years.
| Grand Slam | Mensik’s Win-loss Record | Mensik’s Best Result |
| Australian Open | 3-2 (60%) | Second Round (2024 & 2025) |
| French Open | 1-0 (100%) | Second Round (2025*) |
| Wimbledon | 0-1 (0%) | First Round (2024) |
| US Open | 4-2 (67%) | Third Round (2023 & 2024) |
| Total | 8-5 (62%) | Third Round (US Open 2023 & 2024) |
Mensik will look to match his US Open result in Paris, and will now play his second round match against Portuguese qualifier Henrique Rocha.
This will be a first-time meeting between the two players that will take place on Thursday, May 29.
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