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'Tough to watch': Australian Open rocked by 'devastating' scenes

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·3-min read
Jakub Mensik, pictured here collapsing at the end of the junior boy's final at the Australian Open.
Jakub Mensik collapsed at the end of the junior boy's final at the Australian Open. Image: Getty/Twitter

The Australian Open was rocked by distressing scenes on Saturday when junior boy's finalist Jakub Mensik collapsed on court after a three hour and 43 minute war against Bruno Kuzuhara.

Top-seeded American Kuzuhara added the Australian Open junior singles title to his earlier doubles crown in incredible circumstances at Melbourne Park.

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Kuzuhara beat fourth-seeded Mensik 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 7-5 in an extraordinary match that lasted 17 minutes shy of four hours.

In distressing scenes, Czech player Mensik suffered serious cramps late in the match and could barely continue serving.

Kuzuhara won a 33-point rally in the final game of the match, with Mensik falling to the court in agony several times.

“The elastic limits of human performance clearly evident right now,” commentator Rob Keonig said.

“This is extraordinary, this is Shuzo Matsuoka stuff circa US Open.

"This is hard for his coach and his team to see. This is painful."

Jakub Mensik, pictured here being taken from the court in a wheelchair after the junior boy's final at the Australian Open.
Jakub Mensik was taken from the court in a wheelchair after the junior boy's final at the Australian Open. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Mensik finished with a pair of double-faults to hand Kuzuhara the title and had to be taken off Rod Laver Arena in a wheelchair.

The 17-year-old Kuzuhara rushed around the net to check on his opponent before celebrating.

“He has given everything, he has dug as deep as he could,” Keonig said.

Co-commentator Brad Stine said: "Tough to watch that in a kid who’s 16-years old, dealing with cramps to that degree."

Bruno Kuzuhura's double title triumph at Australian Open

Kuzuhura has Japanese heritage, was born in Brazil and moved to America with his parents when he was an infant.

In his acceptance speech, he thanked his family and friends in America and England, and also added his thanks in Portuguese and Japanese.

“First of all, it’s an unfortunate way to win it," he said during the trophy presentation.

"It was a great fight. We pushed each other right to the end."

Bruno Kuzuhara, pictured here after winning the junior boy's title at the Australian Open.
Bruno Kuzuhara celebrates after winning the junior boy's title at the Australian Open. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

To Mensik, he added: "Great match. If you’re watching inside, thanks man.”

The Florida-based Kuzuhara also won the junior boys doubles title with Coleman Wong of Hong Kong.

They beat American Alex Michelsen and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay 6–3, 7–6 (3).

with Associated Press

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