WATCH: Shocking scenes at ATP Next Gen Finals as Jakub Mensik complains to umpire about anti-doping test during mid-match toilet break

Unreal scenes unfolded at the 2024 ATP Next Gen Finals when Jakub Mensik was asked to undergo an anti-doping test in the middle of his match on Thursday. The Czech player complained about the test to the chair umpire, who was also perplexed by the incident.

Mensik was facing Arthur Fils in his second group-stage match, struggling to gain an advantage over the Frenchman. Tensions flared during the toilet break after the second set when Mensik was asked to undergo an anti-doping test.

Irritated by the request, Mensik relayed his frustration to the chair umpire Nacho Forcadell, who also seemed displeased by the timing of the test. Forcadell quickly reached out to a tournament official in the stands to express his objection to the test being performed in the middle of the match and delaying the proceedings.

Clip of Jakub Mensik telling the umpire he was asked to take an anti-doping test in the middle of the match against Fils byu/Peachtea_96 intennis

Usually, anti-doping tests are performed before or after a match or between tournaments, leading to confusing and shocking scenes at the Next Gen Finals. Despite these distractions, Arthur Fils kept his focus and overcame Mensik 4-2, 4-3 (4), 4-2. Mensik also lost his first group-stage match at the tournament to Learner Tien and is almost out of contention for the knockout stage after losing to Fils.

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Jakub Mensik to finish 2024 in top 50 after starting the year outside top 150

Jakub Mensik (Credits: Getty)

Jakub Mensik's qualification for the 2024 Next Gen Finals in Jeddah was the culmination of a remarkable year for the young Czech. He began 2024 as the World No. 167 and made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. He notched an impressive win over Denis Shapovalov in the first round in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old then appeared on the tour at the Qatar Open and stunned the fans after stitching together an improbable run to the final. Mensik bettered Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, former World No. 1 Andy Murray, top seed Andrey Rublev, and Gael Monfils to reach the final. He was stopped from getting his hands on the trophy by second seed Karen Khachonov.

The Czech also reached the semifinals at the Croatia Open in Umag and the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters, Vienna Open, and Mallorca Championships. His best performance at the Grand Slam stage was a third-round finish at the US Open. These results saw Mensik jump over 100 spots on the ATP Rankings, occupying the World No. 48 spot.