Top 20 ATP player confirms he’s fit and ready to play at the US Open after illness scare

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With the US Open now just days away, the stars of the ATP Tour are finishing up their pre-tournament preparations.

The Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon have all come and gone, as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz shared the first three Grand Slams of 2025.

Many are predicting one of Alcaraz and Sinner to pick up the trophy in New York next month, although the US Open has produced a fair few shock winners over the years.

Marin Cilic’s stunning win in 2014 stands out, clinching his first major title as the number-14 seed.

Rising stars in today’s game would be smart to look to Cilic for inspiration, as they aim to make a deep run at Flushing Meadows.

One such player has just confirmed his participation in the final Grand Slam of the year, despite struggling with illness recently.

Jakub Mensik is ‘all in’ for the US Open despite recent illness

World number 16 Jakub Mensik took to X to share a fitness update ahead of the US Open.

“Back on courts, healthy and hungry – all in, chasing the [US] Open,” he said.

At last week’s Cincinnati Open, the Czech star retired during his third-round match against Luca Nardi, struggling with illness.

After the match, Mensik shared how he was feeling physically, as many questioned whether he would be fit to return for the US Open.

“The two days leading up to yesterday’s match were super rough, something hit my stomach hard, and it was far from a pleasant experience,” he said.

“I tried my best to be able to compete and to fight, but unfortunately, by match time, my energy was gone… running on empty.”

With his participation at Flushing Meadows now confirmed, fans can look forward to seeing the promising teenage star make his third career appearance at the US Open.

The event has been his most successful at the Grand Slam level since making his debut in 2023, reaching the third round on two occasions.

He’ll certainly be looking to add to his tally of four wins in New York this time around, to cap off an impressive season in style.

Jakub Mensik’s impressive 2025 campaign

The teenage sensation began the year ranked 48th in the world, but soon shot up the rankings.

After shocking Casper Ruud at the Australian Open, Mensik embarked on an incredible Miami Open campaign shortly after.

Picking up three top-ten wins en route to the title, Mensik became the lowest-ranked Miami Open champion in tournament history.

• 2025 Miami Open 1R – Jakub Mensik defeated Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
• 2025 Miami Open 2R – Jakub Mensik defeated [6] Jack Draper, 7-6, 7-6
• 2025 Miami Open 3R – Jakub Mensik defeated Roman Safiullin, 6-4, 6-4
• 2025 Miami Open 4R – Walkover
• 2025 Miami Open QF – Jakub Mensik defeated [17] Arthur Fils, 7-6, 6-1
• 2025 Miami Open SF – Jakub Mensik defeated [3] Taylor Fritz, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6
• 2025 Miami Open F – Jakub Mensik defeated [4] Novak Djokovic, 7-6, 7-6

His win over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the final was no doubt the biggest of his career, stunning the 24-time major champion in straight sets.

Mensik hasn’t returned to an ATP final since, but continues to pick up results on tour, making career-best runs at several tournaments.

The 19-year-old is now ranked 16th in the world, having jumped 32 places from his 2024 year-end ranking.

Mensik currently trails world number ten Lorenzo Musetti by 775 points, a gap he’d no doubt love to close by making a deep run at the US Open.

Taking to the court as the 16th seed, Mensik will begin his US Open campaign when the tournament begins on Sunday, August 24.