‘He's very lucky' – Tennis star's racquet almost flies into Queen's Club spectator in shocking scenes
A TENNIS star was lucky not to injure a fan at Queen's after a freak incident.
Jakub Mensik took on Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 16 in West London on Wednesday.
Advertisement
5
Jakub Mensik escaped being defaulted when his racquet flew into the crowd
Credit: Getty
5
He swiped out in frustration after missing a backhand
Credit: X / @BBCSport
5
The handle slipped out of his hand accidentally
Credit: X / @BBCSport
Despite taking the first set, the No8 seed - who beat Cameron Norrie in round one - suffered a shock defeat.
And the 19-year-old's frustrations were clear to see when he netted a backhand on the run.
Mensik swatted his tennis racquet down towards the grass court - not down into the turf.
But as his arm swung through, the handle slipped from his grasp and flew out.
Advertisement
READ MORE TENNIS NEWS
The racquet then bounced down into the grass and over the backboards into the front rows of the stand behind the Andy Murray Arena court.
Thankfully, the seats directly behind Mensik were vacant and therefore the racquet did not strike a spectator.
Instead, it was passed back by over the hoardings by a bloke in the crowd.
Had the racquet hit someone, Mensik would have almost certainly been defaulted - even though it would be an accident.
Advertisement
Most read in Tennis
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
"That could have caused injury, there.
Former Wimbledon champion resurfaces in viral ad with Rafael Nadal three years after bombshell retirement
"He didn't mean it - it slipped out of his hands on to the court.
Advertisement
"That could have hit the lady right in the third row and that would have been an automatic default.
"He's very lucky, there."
Mensik was handed a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour by British umpire James Keothavong.
Incredibly, it is not the first time Mensik has avoided being disqualified in very similar fashion.
Advertisement
At the 2024 Miami Open, he threw his racquet in anger and
A year later,
And in another quirk, Mensik planned to pull out of the Miami Masters event because he was unwell before playing his first-round match... against Bautista Agut.
5
A spectator handed back the frame
Credit: Getty
Advertisement
5
It is not the first time Mensik has nearly got into trouble
Credit: Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Dimitri Payet charged with ‘psychological violence' against ex who accused him of forcing her to ‘drink own urine'
FORMER West Ham star Dimitri Payet faces trial after being accused of "sexual, physical and psychological violence" against his ex-girlfriend. Brazilian prosecutors have charged the ex-France midfielder, 38, with Advertisement 3 Dimitri Payet has seen the case against him re-opened Credit: Getty 3 Larissa Ferrari appealed against a decision to drop the matter Credit: Newsflash Payet hit 15 goals in 60 The married dad-of-four joined Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in 2023 and went on to form a relationship with local woman Larissa. Rio de Janeiro prosecutors allege he took advantage of her vulnerability to start the relationship, then caused her "psychological and emotional harm" including being violent. Police initially closed their inquiry but prosecutors reopened the case after an appeal by Larissa and have now pressed charges. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Payet has been accused of causing her emotional damage through "hurtful and degrading expressions, humiliation, manipulation and mockery". Larissa made allegations to The Sun on Sunday in April that Payet had She also claimed she had to take part in a fake wedding and wear a ring to 'prove her love'. Payet is said to have told Brazilian police everything between him and Larissa was consensual. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Latest 3 The Brazilian lawyer and the married footballer had a relationship Credit: Newsflash Documents from the country's Public Ministry say the couple met online and shared a mutual interest in sexual relations involving "acts of daringness and violence". The official report states Larissa suffered depression as a result of Payet's behaviour towards her. Kyle Walker seals Everton deal & Grealish to Napoli, Newcastle & Spurs STILL ON | Transfers Exposed Her lawyers said: "This measure shows that the authorities are aware of the seriousness of the facts. Advertisement "They are minded to make sure that behaviours that harm women's dignity do not go unpunished - no matter how high-profile the suspect may be." The footballer, whose Vasco contract was torn up earlier this month, could have to pay a huge fine and the costs of Larissa's medical treatment if the accusations against him are found to be true. Payet's lawyer Sheila Lustoza said: "I'm surprised the case has been reopened, as it is based on information that was already out there. "But I am confident that the legal system will recognise my client's innocence." Advertisement Payet left West Ham for Marseille in a £25million deal in January 2017 after falling out of favour with Hammers fans. The set-piece expert, who has 38 caps, pushed for a transfer after claiming he was homesick.
The Irish Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Man Utd wonderkid banished to train on his own and put through ‘torturous' sessions to force him out of club
A FORMER Manchester United hot prospect was forced into "torturous" training sessions in a bid to make him quit his club. But amid the brutal regime, he was driven on by a supportive coach urging him: "Don't let them break you". 3 Ryan Tunnicliffe had a nightmare second year with Adelaide United Credit: Getty 3 Tunnicliffe played with future stars like Paul Pogba at Old Trafford Credit: Getty - Contributor Midfielder He was at Tunnicliffe, now 32, went on to have decent spells with But a move to Australian team Adelaide United on a two-year deal in 2023 went less than smoothly. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And Tunnicliffe's troubles peaked when the club's technical director Ernest Faber wanted him out - according to The Australian broadcaster revealed whistleblowing claims by former assistant Travis Dodd. The former Adelaide player, 45, suggested that ex-coach Carl Veart was undermined by Faber last season. Dodd reckoned Faber asked players to pick the team without telling Veart. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And it's reckoned Tunnicliffe was caught up in the situation. He only played four minutes last season before departing in May - with Veart also leaving after five years in charge, as well as Dodd. New Man Utd star Matheus Cunha runs rings around pals as he plays 5-a-side on streets in his hometown And it's alleged Tunnicliffe faced a bizarre ordeal as he struggled for game time. 7News Adelaide reported that Faber "forced unwanted import Ryan Tunnicliffe to train on his own, putting him through torturous running sessions in the hope he would quit the club". Dodd told the TV channel: "I said, 'Mate, don't let them break you'. He goes, 'I can do it'. "And, credit to him, for two weeks he rocked up when he was asked to rock up, did what he was asked to do, and seemingly Ernest (Faber) had had enough after two weeks and let him rejoin the first-team squad." Former Adelaide player Josh Cavallo alleged on the 7News Facebook comment section that he too suffered because of Faber. The ex-Socceroos U-20 ace, 25, claimed Veart was "under clear instructions by the people above him" not to pick him. 3 Tunnicliffe left Adelaide in may after an unhappy second season Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson but kept it a secret when I walked into the gym… I took beatings like everyone else
BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is related to the most famous fighter of all time but he hid it - because he wanted to take beatings just like everyone else. The 26-year-old is the grandson to boxing icon Muhammad Ali and 4 Biaggio Ali Walsh with his grandad Muhammad Ali Credit: Instagram @biaggioaliwalsh 4 Biaggio Ali Walsh is 2-0 as a pro MMA fighter Credit: Getty The lightweight trains at Extreme Couture - the Las Vegas gym headed up by Eric Nicksick - trainer to Francis Ngannou. When Biaggio first walked into the gym he kept his identity a secret - and it took ex-UFC champion Sean Strickland FOUR YEARS to catch on. Biaggio told SunSport: "I never walked into Extreme Couture and I would tell people, 'Oh, I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson.' READ MORE IN boxing "That's actually the last thing I want is for people to know as soon as they get to a gym. "So yeah, I think just word of mouth, people started to find out who I was. Apparently Sean Strickland didn't know till like a couple of weeks ago. "He came up to me and he's like, 'Bro, you're Muhammad Ali's grandson?' I was like, 'Yes Sean, you didn't know this? I thought like Eric or someone would have told you or something. "He's like, 'No. I didn't know, that's so cool. Like, how was he? Was he cool?' I was like, 'Yeah, he was cool, he was funny. Does the boxing make sense now?'" Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Biaggio - who shares his Islamic faith with his grandad - had seven amateur fights - winning six - But that came after years of learning the ropes in the gym and taking his licks in the gym - just like everyone else. EXCL Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in Jungle win 40 years on as legends became best friends Biaggio said: "In a combat sport, who you're related to means nothing, Where you come from means nothing. "You could come from a silver spoon in your mouth, your dad could be a billionaire, but when you get in that cage and it's locked, even for sparring, that's not gonna help you. "It's you that's gonna be fighting for you. When I first got to Extreme, you know, a lot of ass whoopings, a lot of ass whoopings. You pay your dues, dude. That's how it is in the sport." Biaggio - signed to the Professional Fighters League - returns to the cage on June 27 in Chicago against 2-0 Ronnie Gibbs after nearly one year out. And he said: "I think in this sport, a break like that is good because you can sharpen so many tools and get your mind right and it gives you plenty of time to just get better in everything, physically and mentally. "And that's where I feel like I am. I feel like I've gotten so much better as a fighter and I've gotten so much better in my mental too, so super excited for this fight. I'd like to get a couple more fights at the end of this year." 4 Bob Walsh, with sons Nico and Biaggio and wife Rasheda, Muhammad Ali's daughter Credit: rashedaali1/instagram 4 Biaggio speals in As-Sabur Mosque in Las Vegas to celebrate his faith
