What Novak Djokovic said about Jakub Mensik just last week already looks incredibly accurate after he wins the Miami Open final

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Novak Djokovic has yet again been denied a 100th ATP Tour title, this time by Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open.

Barbora Krejcikova has congratulated Mensik on his success, which represents a first ATP title for the Czech ace.

Mensik is now the lowest-ranked Miami Open champion, having lifted the trophy while 54th in the world rankings.

The 19-year-old has since shot up 30 places to 24th, with Mensik having defeated Djokovic 7-6(7-4), 7-6(7-4).

The Serbian must now continue his search for his milestone win, but he can, of course, be very proud of his efforts at the Miami Open.

Novak Djokovic rightfully highlighted Jakub Mensik’s ability early at the Miami Open

At 37, he is still more than capable of mixing it with the younger generation, who he did actually reference following his third round win over Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

Having been asked in his winning press conference what he thinks about rising star Joao Fonseca, Djokovic said: “He’s a very exciting player to watch. But he’s not the only one.

READ MORE: What Novak Djokovic said when asked if he thought Roger Federer’s dominance was ‘finished’ in 2008

“You have Mensik. Maybe because people talk about Fonseca so much, they forgot about Mensik. They’re the same age.

[Learner] Tien, as well. All those players are very young, but they have as good a ranking as he does. They’re as good as him.

“I think it’s exciting, I don’t know what should I call it, that generation, new, new, new generation is bringing.

“It’s always great that you have exciting players to watch and see the players that have potential to reach the greatest heights and to carry this sport.

“Obviously [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz are the leaders of today, still very young. But then these guys, seems like they’re knocking on the door of Sinner, Alcaraz in the years to come.”

Jakub Mensik and Joao Fonseca rise ATP rankings after Miami Open

Djokovic certainly isn’t wrong in saying that Sinner and Alcaraz are leading the way, having shared the four Grand Slam titles in 2024.

The Italian has since won the 2025 Australian Open, and remains top of the ATP rankings despite his three-month ban.

READ MORE: Roger Federer’s former coach ‘surprised’ by ATP rule after what happened with Novak Djokovic in Miami

Alcaraz meanwhile hasn’t been at his very best in recent times, but is already a four-time Grand Slam champion aged just 21.

But Djokovic rightfully praised Mensik early on at the Miami Open, with the latter ironically going on to beat the Serbian to lift the trophy.

Aged just 19, he also knocked out Indian Wells champion and third seed Taylor Fritz, and is very much the man of the moment on the ATP Tour.

Fonseca meanwhile reached the third round of the Miami Open before losing to Alex de Minaur, having knocked Tien out in round one.

Jakub Mensik’s concentration at a young age pointed out after Miami Open win

Tennis commentator Rob Koenig has now shared his verdict on Mensik’s rapid rise, having been left impressed by the teenager long ago.

The future is certainly looking bright for the ATP Tour, with the young trio more than capable of causing a stir at the French Open, the next major championship in the calendar.

Djokovic meanwhile might just regret having praised his future opponent so highly in Miami, with Mensik certain to have gained great confidence from hearing what that 24-time Grand Slam champion had to say about him.