US Open 2026: Jakub Mensik Allegedly Heckled by Drunk Fan During His Third-Round Defeat (WATCH)

Czech tennis star Jakub Mensik was heckled by a drunk fan during his five-set third-round loss to Learner Tien at US Open 2026. The fan was ejected after disrupting play in the fourth set, sparking debate over crowd control.

Czech tennis star Jakub Mensik was allegedly heckled by a drunk fan during his third-round US Open 2026 men’s singles clash against Learner Tien at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on Sunday, September 6.

Jakub Mensik was knocked out of the tournament with a five-set defeat to Learner Tien: 6-3, 1-6, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4 in a gruelling late-night thriller. Despite winning the second and third sets and gaining the upper hand in the match, the Czech player found his rhythm severely tested when crowd rowdiness boiled over into direct verbal abuse.

In his first two rounds, Jakub Mensik had cruised through strong performances, defeating Japan's Shintaro Mochizuki in three straight sets in the opener before overcoming Jurij Rodionov of Austria in a four-set battle, making his exit a bitter pill to swallow as the chaotic stadium atmosphere boiled over.

Mensik’s Encounter with Drunk Fan Goes Viral

As Jakub Mensik was knocked out of the US Open 2026 after a third-round defeat to Learner Tien, the Czech tennis star reached his breaking point when a spectator, appearing visibly intoxicated, persistently shouted and disrupted play from the stands.

In a video that went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), a drunk spectator was seen repeatedly heckling Mensik and gesturing toward him from the stands, forcing the Czech star to stop play and point out the disruptive fan to the chair umpire.

After repeated interruptions, the surrounding spectators turned on the individual themselves, drowning out the tension with loud chants of ‘Kick him out’ before the tournament security officials stepped in to escort the unruly fan away from the stands. The spectator walked out by himself, raising his arms in a theatrical gesture before the stadium security escorted him out.

🇨🇿🇺🇸 Czech tennis player Jakub Mensik had a clearly drunk fan thrown out of the stadium for heckling.

Other players at the US Open have complained about noise, as well as the smell of marijuana in the stands. 

Not a good look for the prestigious tournament...

Writers: Sol,…

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 6, 2026

According to reports, the incident occurred during the fourth set, when Mensik was leading 2–0, but Tien was beginning his comeback. Two hecklers were involved, one was escorted out by security, while another left voluntarily.

The distraction appeared to have temporarily broken Mensik’s momentum, allowing the 14th-seeded American to claw his way back into the match, secure the fourth and fifth sets, and complete a remarkable comeback victory.

US Open Crowd Under Fire as Fans Call for Action Against Hecklers

The spectators’ behaviour during Jakub Mensik’s match has added fuel to an ongoing debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), over crowd control at Flushing Meadows, with fans and tennis enthusiasts demanding stricter boundaries for alcohol sales and crowd monitoring during late-night showdowns.

Taking to their X handles, several fans criticised the behaviour of the disruptive spectators while questioning the tournament organisers’ handling of the situation. Others argued that the energetic atmosphere at the US Open should not come at the expense of players’ concentration and the overall integrity of the match.

However, some fans defended the passionate atmosphere at the US Open, arguing that a lively crowd is part of what makes the Grand Slam unique. While maintaining that fans should be allowed to cheer, they agreed that persistent heckling and personal abuse should not be tolerated.

Absolutely not the atmosphere you expect at a prestigious tournament. Fans should support the players without disrupting the match or ruining the experience for everyone else.

— Onlineparrot🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Onlineparr34508) September 6, 2026

Sports in America has become a joke! 
Professional and collegiate both!

— Amanda (@Amanda10584629) September 6, 2026

You can’t stop people from drinking or smoking marijuana. Has nothing to do with how prestigious a tournament is. Just toss the disruptive fans out for violating rules

— ArtsyKenneth (@GIJOKER2) September 6, 2026

There is nothing prestigious about the @usopen outside of being deemed a Grand Slam.

— Kelly Brittain (@krowwt) September 6, 2026

The US Open should be electric, not disruptive fans can bring the energy without crossing the line into heckling and distractions.

— Mark jaxon (@Mayjay042) September 6, 2026

thats just the average nyc crowd experience😅

— Shakhan (@shynrz007) September 6, 2026

@usopen and @usta are hell-bent on catering to hecklers and promoting their DEI agendas. https://t.co/1ZuVTdQDUK

— Mcnaughty Boy (@ga34738000) September 6, 2026

No excuse. Mensik shld not have had to complain multiple times to ump, and it was the FANS who ejected them, not security. Security stepped in after fans yelled.

— b (@savash98) September 6, 2026

Tournament organizer hopefully is seeing that these problems are increasing and has a plan to address

— Darlene Morse (@DarleneO25) September 6, 2026

Why are the players having to do the job for @usopen staff?
Disruptive spectators should be removed without the players having to be the ones driving it.

— vampires in the dry heat (@thisismyhatnow) September 6, 2026

Meanwhile, the debate over whether late-night scheduling encourages rowdy spectator behavior continues to gain traction across tennis circuits worldwide.