Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik embraced the Masters 1000 ultimate with the most important age distinction in Miami. The 19-year-old Czech ousted the 37-year-old Serb 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and three minutes en path to his first ATP title!
World no. 54 prevailed over his idol after an enormous battle, lifting a notable trophy and cracking the top-25. At 19 years and 6 months, Jakub grew to become the fifth-youngest Masters 1000 champion, conquering this stage earlier than the 24-time Main winner.
Novak shared a message with Jakub, praising the younger gun and inspiring him to maintain striving for extra sooner or later.
Jakub Mensik: “Mi inspiración tenística es Novak Djokovic. Gracias a él, empecé a jugar al tenis. Es mi mayor ídolo. No estaría aquí sin él”
Hoy le ganó a su ídolo en una ultimate de Masters 1000.
— Set Tenis (@settenisok) March 31, 2025
Djokovic acknowledged Mensik’s expertise on the Australian Open three years in the past. He invited a young person to Belgrade and shared his data and contacts with the upcoming star. The Czech by no means forgot that, thanking the legend for the whole lot following the Miami ultimate.
The title conflict began late attributable to an prolonged rain delay, leaving the gamers compete in difficult situations. They did their finest and pushed one another to the bounds after splitting 152 factors. The servers supplied the returners solely 4 break factors.
Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Jakub cast the benefit at the start of the duel, and Novak erased it to comply with {the teenager}’s tempo till the top. The extra skilled participant didn’t play at his finest within the tie breaks, with the younger gun outplaying him and lifting a trophy.
The six-time champion sprayed a forehand error within the second recreation of the duel and skilled an early break. Mensik offered nice holds and cast a 4-1 benefit. Djokovic pulled the break again within the seventh recreation after the rival’s backhand error.
Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
They served effectively within the remaining 5 video games to rearrange a tie break. Jakub grabbed a mini-break within the second level after a fortunate internet twine and a behind-the-back volley winner. Novak missed a forehand within the third level and performed a free drop shot to seek out himself 5-0 down.
Mensik landed a smash winner within the eighth level for 6-2 and 4 set factors. He seized the third with a smash winner, wrapping up the opener 7-6 in 55 minutes and gathering a lift. Jakub served effectively within the second set and saved the strain on the opposite aspect.
Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic confronted the final word problem at 2-2. The veteran saved two break factors and held to stay in competition. They launched one other tie break, and the Serb had no room for errors. Nevertheless, he sprayed two from his backhand within the opening factors.
Djokovic drew the rival’s mistake and erased the deficit earlier than Mensik introduced a grueling baseline change residence within the fifth level for a 3-2 lead. Novak claimed the seventh level following the rival’s wayward backhand and saved himself alive.
Novak Djokovic & Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Nevertheless, he netted a routine forehand within the eighth level and propelled his rival 5-3 in entrance. Djokovic’s backhand went into the online within the ninth level, and he supplied Mensik three match factors. The Czech transformed the second with a service winner, beginning an enormous celebration of his first ATP title.
“Congratulations, Jakub – this is your moment. Enjoy it, and keep striving for more,” Novak Djokovic wrote.
