Solely 5 have executed it: Jakub Mensik joins Novak Djokovic-slaying teenagers

Jakub Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic within the Miami Masters last. The younger gun earned a 7-6, 7-6 triumph in two hours and three minutes, lifting his first ATP trophy and incomes notable milestones. 

Amongst different milestones, Jakub grew to become solely the fifth teenager to have overwhelmed Novak on the ATP stage! Djokovic has misplaced 227 ATP matches, and solely 5 defeats got here from the racquets of those that didn’t have a good time their twentieth birthday.

It began with Filip Krajinovic 15 years in the past. Stefanos Tsitsipas added his identify to the checklist a few days earlier than turning 20 in 2018. Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune toppled Djokovic in 2022, and Mensik joined them final Sunday.

🗣 “Eres la razón por la que estoy hoy aquí. Gracias por todo lo que has hecho por el tenis. Una persona increíble y el mejor de la historia”.

Mensik a Djokovic 🥹♥️ pic.twitter.com/qqVF4Oc8mO

— Tiempo De Tenis (@Tiempodetenis1) March 31, 2025

Rafael Nadal missed a spot on the unique checklist after beating Djokovic within the 2006 Roland Garros quarter-final shortly after his twentieth birthday. Thus, Filip Krajinovic grew to become the primary teenager with a win over his compatriot in Belgrade in 2010. 

Two Serbs battled within the quarter-final, and the 18-year-old claimed the opening set 6-4. Novak didn’t really feel nicely, and he retired forward of the second set on account of allergic reactions. Seven years later, Alexander Zverev bested Djokovic in Rome a few weeks after turning 20. 

Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

The legend fought towards one other younger gun on the Canada Masters 15 months later. Stefanos Tsitsipas confirmed his wealthy expertise in the summertime of 2018 and ousted Djokovic 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 within the third spherical a few days earlier than turning 20!

Thus, the Greek joined Krajinovic on the unique checklist. 4 years later, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune stepped onto the scene because the main figures of the 2003 technology. The Spaniard confronted the legend in Madrid in 2022, a few days after turning 19.

Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Two rivals pushed one another to the boundaries at Caja Magica earlier than the house favourite prevailed 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 in a thriller. Carlos saved his composure within the closing levels of units two and three to develop into the third teenager with an ATP win over Novak.

The Serb confronted Holger Rune within the Paris Masters last. The younger Dane prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, mirroring Alcaraz’s feat and ousting the legend from a set down. Holger grew to become the fourth teenager with an ATP victory over Djokovic. 

Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Two and a half years later, Jakub Mensik joined the occasion at 19 years and 6 months. The Czech virtually skipped the Miami Masters. Fortunately, he stayed within the draw and bested six rivals en path to his first ATP crown. Jakub confronted his idol Novak within the last. 

A youngster held his nerves and took the pivotal factors in a 7-6, 7-6 triumph. They traded breaks as soon as within the opener and remained neck and neck. Each gamers claimed 76 factors, and Jakub grabbed the important ones in two tie break. 

Thus, he grew to become the fifth teenager to have overwhelmed Novak within the ATP matches.