Nineteen-year-old Jakub Mensik delivered a career-defining performance to defeat Novak Djokovic and clinch his first ATP Tour title at the Miami Open.
Mensik overcame his childhood idol with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) victory, denying Djokovic his elusive 100th ATP singles title.
Mensik’s triumph crowns him the ninth-youngest Masters 1000 champion in history and follows an impressive run in the tournament, where he defeated three top-10 players, including Britain’s Jack Draper and American Taylor Fritz. The Czech rising star is now set to climb to a career-high 24th in the world rankings.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, was aiming to become only the third man in the Open Era to win 100 singles titles. However, his hopes were dashed on a humid Miami night by Mensik, who showcased resilience, a powerful serve, and a thumping backhand that proved too much for the 37-year-old Serbian legend.
Mensik credited Djokovic as a major inspiration during his winner’s speech and revealed that he almost withdrew from the tournament due to a knee injury. “One hour before my first match here I was holding the paper to pull out from the tournament,” Mensik shared, thanking his physiotherapist for a “miracle” recovery.
Despite falling short, Djokovic congratulated Mensik warmly after the match, admitting, “It hurts me to say it, but you were better. Maybe you’ll let me win next time.”
Mensik’s ability to handle the pressure of his second ATP Tour final was evident as he maintained his intensity throughout the match. Even after a five-and-a-half-hour rain delay, he adjusted quickly, breaking Djokovic early and fending off the Serb’s attempts to rally.
For Djokovic, the wait for a first ATP title since 2023 continues, but there were promising signs of improvement, particularly in his serve under coach Andy Murray’s guidance.
