Jakub Mensik prevents idol Novak Djokovic from winning 100th title, wins first ATP trophy at Miami Open

Jakub Mensik prevented Novak Djokovic from winning his 100th title on tour before praising the former World No 1 as someone he idolised when growing up. The Czech Republic teenager, ranked 54th in the world when the Miami Open started, stunned the Serbian 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) to win his first ATP title on Sunday evening. Mensik’s victory came in the way of Djokovic winning a record seventh title in the Miami Open.
In Miami, the 6-foot-4, 19-year-old Mensik showed off his hammer serve which touched speeds of 130 mph. He served 14 aces against Djokovic in the two-hour-three-minute-long finale and was broken only once.
“My tennis inspiration is Novak Djokovic. It not for him, I wouldn’t be here,” Mensik had told ATP’s social media channels before the finale.
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After his title, he got the chance to thank Djokovic personally. “You’re the one I idolized when I was young,” Mensik told Djokovic during the presentation ceremony. “I started playing tennis because of you.”
Mensik was not even two years old when Djokovic won his first Miami Open title in 2007.
Djokovic had invited the player to his camp in Belgrade to train when he was just 16.
Hurts to admit you were better
In return, Mensik earned some praise from his idol as well. Story continues below this ad
“He has the complete game. His serve is incredible, powerful, precise,” Djokovic said. “This is a joyous moment for him and his family — an unbelievable tournament, first of many. It hurts me to admit it, you were better. In the clutch moments you delivered the goods. For a young player like yourself, this is a great feature.”

If you don’t know, get to know! 🎬⭐️@mensik_jakub_ will compete in his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final tonight! pic.twitter.com/j2LKypOImf
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 28, 2025
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Djokovic battled his share of issues in the final. He played with redness in his eyes and applied eyedrops during two changeovers in the first set.
Afterward, Djokovic called it a “a weird day” before adding: “I didn’t feel my greatest on the court.”
The Serb slipped twice on the court in the final, which was delayed more than 5 1/2 hours. The humidity levels in Miami were at 90% after hours of rain played spoilsport initially.
(With inputs from AP)
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