Jakub Mensik has explained why he was forced to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters roughly an hour before he was due to take to the court for his first-round match. The world No. 26 was due to face Fabian Marozsan in the second match on Court Des Princes on Tuesday. However, he pulled out while the first match on that court was already underway, and was replaced by lucky loser Damir Dzumhur.
Mensik had also entered the doubles draw with countryman Jiri Lehecka, and they won their opening match on Sunday, but he also pulled out of the doubles competition. The reason for the Czech star’s withdrawal was simply listed as “toe” on the official draw sheet, but Mensik has now shared the reason he couldn’t play – and why he will also miss next week’s Munich Open.
“Sadly, I had to withdraw from Monte Carlo earlier this week because of an infection in my right foot. We’ve done everything possible to try and get me ready to compete, but there just hasn’t been enough time,” the 20-year-old tweeted on Friday.
“Not the news I wanted to share, but I’ve also decided to withdraw from Munich. Together with my team, we agreed that the smartest decision is to take a bit more time to recover and make sure I’m 100 per cent for what’s coming next. Thanks for all the messages and support.”
Following Mensik’s withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters, Dzumhur took his place in the draw and had around an hour’s notice before taking to the court. He suffered a 6-2 6-1 defeat to Marozsan.
He made a triumphant return to competition at the Qatar Open in February, shocking world No. 2 Jannik Sinner on his way to the semi-finals. But Mensik’s Miami Open title defence came to an end in the third round when he lost to Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling final-set tiebreak.
The world No. 26 has entered the upcoming Madrid Open, which gets underway on April 21, the likely site of his comeback after he pulled out of Monte Carlo and Munich.
Mensik was one of four players to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters after the draw was made. Tiafoe, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Kamil Majchrzak also pulled out and were replaced by lucky losers. There have also been two mid-match retirements this week, with Casper Ruud and Roberto Bautista Agut unable to continue.