“Didn’t feel quite right,” Novak Djokovic dubs his Miami Open final upset to Jakub Mensik ‘strange’

Novak Djokovic was denied his 100th ATP title by Jakub Mensik, who scripted history by claiming the 2025 Miami Open.

“Didn’t feel quite right,” Novak Djokovic dubs his Miami Open final upset to Jakub Mensik ‘strange’

Novak Djokovic will continue his hunt for his 100th ATP title on the clay swing. He had a huge chance of ending his trophy drought in the Miami Open final on Sunday, but Jakub Mensik played better tennis to lift his first ATP title with a 7-6(4), 7-6(4) scoreline.

Jakub Mensik shares 'crazy story' of how he almost pulled out of Miami Open after toppling Novak Djokovic in final

Momentum kept shifting throughout the match but in the crucial moments, Mensik kept his composure to eke out wins. Following the defeat, Djokovic recalled meeting Mensik for the first time.

It’s never pleasant to lose, but I have to say that Jakub is one of the few players against whom I am most joyful to fall in a final, to be honest. I met him when he was 15 or 16 years old and invited him to train together in Belgrade.

Miami Open winner Jakub Mensik tried to withdraw but referee was out for lunch | Tennis | The Guardian

Mesnik reached a career-best ranking of No.24 on Monday. He also became the first player from the Czech Republic to take home an ATP Masters 1000 since Tomas Berdych claimed the 2005 Paris Masters.Seeing his evolution is fantastic. Three or four years ago, I already predicted that he would become one of the best in the world, so I am very happy that he is harnessing his potential. It was a strange match, I didn’t feel quite right at any moment.

Mensik also became the second-youngest man to clinch the Miami Open following Carlos Alcaraz, who lifted the title in 2022 when he was 18 years old. He is also the fourth ATP player after Roberto Carretero, Chris Woodruff, and Albert Portas to claim his first ATP title at a Masters 1000 event.