The Boodles Day 1 - Match summaries and interviews...
Arthur Fils d. Jakub Mensik 5-7, 6-4, (10-8)
Fils back to winning ways on day one at The Boodles
Arthur Fils d. Jakub Mensik 5-7, 6-4, (10-8)
The first match of the The Boodles 2026 on the grass court of Stoke Park saw The Boodles debutants Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik face-off. With big serving from both players, the Frenchman, in his first match back from injury after having to withdraw from Roland Garros, defeated the former world no.12 and Roland Garros semi-finalist, Mensik, in a ten-point tie-break.
Arthur Fils
“It was not easy, it was very hot. I was very happy with the win, I haven’t played on grass in two years, so I was very very happy against a great opponent, Jakub [Mensik] is a top top player - especially on grass. It was a lot of fun.”
On return from injury
“It’s always the question, a lot of people ask me: Are you going to be fit? What do you think? I always reply that I am trying my best to recover from my hip injury that I got from the French Open. On the court today, it looked like everything was fine as I was sliding with both legs”
On being coached by Goran
“So cool. He has helped me a lot already on clay and hard court, so to go on grass court, especially where he won Wimbledon - I think it is going to be fun.”
Jakub Mensik
“Today was pretty good, it is always good to have grass court matches before Wimbledon. I had fun and it was a great experience”
On Queen’s R1 defeat
“Queen’s was the first match of the year on grass and obviously after Roland Garros, I didn’t have much time to prepare myself to be 100% for the grass. I took it as a great experience, and wanted to take it as a great start on the grass court. But this was a great chance to get some matches in before the peak of the grass court season.”
Andrey Rublev d. Alexander Shevchenko 6-7, 6-4, (10-3)
During the heat of the day, Andrey Rublev battled Alexander Shevchenko to take the match in the second ten-point tie break of the day.
Alexander Shevchenko
“It feels great, it feels fun, you don’t feel a lot of pressure playing tennis here especially with Andrey. I am enjoying my moments here”
On London heatwave and grass court season
“I was surprised to see the forecast, which is crazy. Playing on grass with the heat is one of the toughest because it is very tough to move as you have to bend your legs but I am getting there a little bit. Let’s see what Wimbledon is going to be like”
Thanasi Kokkinakis d. Sebastian Baez 6-4
In a shortened one set match Thanasi Kokkinakis played his first grass court game in two years and defeated Argentinian former world No.56 Sebastian Baez.
Thanasi Kokkinakis
“There’s only so much training and non-competitive matches you can do before you lose your mind. I’m not perfect yet, my body isn’t quite where I want it to be long-term but I just started probably a month ago so I’m still building but all signs are going the right way.”
Sebastian Baez
“First match and first day on grass but I’m happy to come back here and get the chance to play on this court. Sometimes (playing on grass) is hard, I make some mistakes, but I enjoy it because it’s one month of the year and it’s special.” Day 2 at The Boodles sees another stellar line-up grace the Stadium Court at Stoke Park.
Thanasi Kokkinakis d. Sebastian Baez 6-4
In a shortened one set match Thanasi Kokkinakis played his first grass court game in two years and defeated Argentinian former world No.56 Sebastian Baez.
Thanasi Kokkinakis
“There’s only so much training and non-competitive matches you can do before you lose your mind. I’m not perfect yet, my body isn’t quite where I want it to be long-term but I just started probably a month ago so I’m still building but all signs are going the right way.”
Sebastian Baez
“First match and first day on grass but I’m happy to come back here and get the chance to play on this court. Sometimes (playing on grass) is hard, I make some mistakes, but I enjoy it because it’s one month of the year and it’s special.” Day 2 at The Boodles sees another stellar line-up grace the Stadium Court at Stoke Park.
Wednesday 24th June - Order of Play
- 2.30pm Andrey Rublev v Thanasi Kokkinakis
- followed by Arthur Fils v Tommy Paul
- Not before 5pm, Hubert Hurkacz v Sebastian Baez