Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Jakub Mensik (CZE) celebrates with the finalist and Butch Buchholz championship trophies, respectively, after their males’s singles championship of the Miami Open at Onerous Rock Stadium, on March 30, 2025. — Reuters
Czech teenager Jakub Mensik upset Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) to win the Miami Open at Onerous Rock Stadium on Sunday, denying the Serb his one centesimal profession title.
The 19-year-old, ranked 54th on the planet, claimed his first title on the ATP Tour with an impressive show of highly effective tennis.
The ultimate was delayed by virtually six hours attributable to heavy rain and when the gamers emerged it was clear that Djokovic had a watch an infection. He used eye-drops throughout a changeover within the first set.
Mensik began strongly breaking Djokovic’s first serve sport to go 2-0 up and the tall, big-serving Czech was dominating till, at 4-2 Djokovic broke again when Mensik discovered the web.
The set remained on serve from then on, however within the tie-break Mensik’s highly effective serve, with two aces, put him in cost from the outset. He opened up a 5-0 lead and though 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic fought again the teen sealed the set with an overhead volley.
It was the primary set that Djokovic had misplaced in your complete event. Twice he misplaced his footing and ended up on his again, and he modified his footwear between units.
Mensik had overwhelmed Djokovic by the very same margin within the first set of their solely different assembly in Shanghai earlier than shedding in three units.
This time, nonetheless, the momentum gave the impression to be with him.
The second set was a nip and tuck affair, although, with neither participant in a position to break. As soon as once more Mensik’s energy proved decisive within the tie-break and when Djokovic went lengthy on a return at hand him victory he fell to his again in celebration.
“To be honest I don’t know what to say. It feels incredible, obviously,” Mensik mentioned in his on-court interview.
“It was probably the biggest day of my life and I did super, which I’m really glad (about), to show the performance and keep the nerves outside of the court before the match.
“I really feel simply tremendous joyful and I believe that the emotions will come later,” he said.
Mensik has made no secret of the fact that he grew up with Djokovic his idol and after receiving the trophy he said that he started his career in the hope of emulating the Serb.
“There isn’t a tougher process for a tennis participant than to beat you within the remaining of a event,” he said.
“I’m fairly positive that this was simply the primary of many,” Mensik added, before revealing that he had been close to pulling out of the tournament before his first match due to a knee injury before last minute physiotherapy produced the desired results.
Djokovic, who after the match declined to discuss the problem with his eye, paid tribute to the Czech’s display.
“That is Jakub’s second, a second of his staff, a second of his household. Congratulations, unbelievable event. It hurts me to confess it, however you have been higher. In a clutch second, you delivered the products,” he said.
“Unbelievable serving and only a phenomenal effort mentally as effectively to remain robust in a troublesome second. For a younger participant like your self, it is a nice function. One thing that I’m positive you’ll use many instances within the years to observe,” Djokovic added.
The match between the 37-year-old Djokovic and Mensik was the most important age hole distinction in a Masters 1000 remaining and the most important age hole of any tour-level remaining since 1976.
