Djokovic-mentored Mensik Overcomes French Open Crowd Hostility to Advance

At the 2025 French Open, Czech teenager Jakub Mensik advanced to the second round after a hard-fought win over local favorite Alexandre Muller, despite facing a hostile and jeering crowd on Court 14. Mensik, mentored by Novak Djokovic, responded to the crowd's jeers by playfully conducting the audience, a gesture Djokovic famously used in similar situations, demonstrating his composure under pressure. Mensik credited the intense atmosphere at Roland Garros for pushing him to play his best tennis, noting the challenge of competing against a player with overwhelming crowd support. Djokovic, who has faced similar hostility at this tournament, acknowledged the particularly passionate and loud nature of the French Open crowd compared to other Grand Slams. This behavior has drawn criticism from players and experts, with Djokovic himself calling some crowd members 'disrespectful' but recognizing their right to express themselves, while others have defended Djokovic and Mensik's poise in these conditions. Mensik’s handling of the crowd and victory has sparked discussions about the unique and sometimes difficult environment players encounter at Roland Garros.