Doping test mid-match? Jakub Mensik faces unusual challenge against Arthur Fils

An unusual situation unfolded at the Next Gen ATP Finals during the match between Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik. The Czech player was asked to undergo a doping test before the match ended, following his toilet break after the second set.

Fils (World No. 20) and Mensik (No. 48) entered the tournament needing a win, as both had lost their opening round-robin matches to Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, respectively. While the match was evenly balanced in terms of first-serve percentage (62% for Fils and 63% for Mensik) and points won on the first serve (76% for Fils, 70% for Mensik), the Frenchman prevailed in the critical moments.

The recent Japan Open champion from October displayed his class after an outstanding year on the ATP Tour, securing the win in straight sets, 4-2, 4-3(4), 4-2. The comprehensive victory means Fils controls his destiny in the decisive match to reach the semifinals.

Beyond the result, a peculiar incident occurred during the second set break. Trailing significantly, Mensik took a toilet break to regroup and stay in the match heading into the third set. However, upon returning to the court, he informed umpire Nacho Forcadell that he had been asked to take a doping test at that precise moment.

The Czech player appeared frustrated as he spoke with the umpire, as he not only faced adversity on the court, trailing by two sets, but also had to deal with the unprecedented request for a mid-match doping test. Nevertheless, the umpire clarified the situation with the organizers to avoid disrupting the match.