Jakub Mensik made a mockery of the odds at the Miami Open by defeating Novak Djokovic to win the first singles title of his career.
The 19-year-old came through two tie-breaker sets to win 7-6, 7-6 against the 24-time Grand Slam winner to get his hands on the trophy.
Mensik praised Djokovic after the match, which had been heavily impacted by adverse weather conditions in the United States.
Djokovic’s wait for another title goes on, and he’s now tasted silverware since winning the Olympics back in August.
Still, the signs do look good for the Serbian legend, although this tournament – and this final – was all about the brilliance of the vastly improved Mensik.
Nick Kyrgios delivers reaction to Jakub Mensik beating Novak Djokovic
Kyrgios won’t have been happy to see his good friend Djokovic lose in a final.
It doesn’t feel like five minutes ago that Djokovic was winning Wimbledon in 2022 by beating Kyrgios in the final, and the Australian was a keen watcher of this one.
He was seriously impressed with the performance of Mensik and took to X to post a prediction about the new Miami Open champion.
Kyrgios said: “Mensik is truly something special. Not just to have such composure against the greatest of all time on such a stage, but the fact he’s just 19…this is a truly special kid with plenty of potential to do big things.”
Mensik will now take some serious confidence into the clay-court season, and he will surely be excited to play at the French Open for the first time in his career.
Mensik almost didn’t play Miami Open
Remarkably, the Czech star was struggling with his knee prior to the event – and Mensik nearly withdrew from the competition.
He told the Tennis Channel the tale about how he went to the referee’s office with the relevant paperwork to withdraw, but found the office empty with the referee out for lunch.
Mensik went for some more treatment and the rest, as they say, is history, with the player now getting his hands on the trophy.
Kyrgios does have a point about Mensik and the future of the sport does look to be in good hands.
With Jack Draper winning Indian Wells and Mensik winning this one it showcases that a changing of the guard is clearly taking place in the sport of tennis right now.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
