Novak Djokovic`s pursuit of his 100th career title was thwarted by a teenager who nearly didn`t play due to a pre-match injury.
Djokovic, aiming to join tennis legends Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors in the exclusive club of players with 100 or more titles, faced 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final.
The 37-year-old Djokovic also sought to become the oldest Masters title winner but was defeated by Mensik in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6, at Hard Rock Stadium.
For Mensik, this victory marked his first ATP Tour title, propelling him from world No. 54 to No. 24 in the rankings. He is also the first player in 24 years to win their debut title at a Masters event.
Remarkably, Mensik almost withdrew from the tournament before his opening match due to a knee injury.
After his victory, Mensik credited an ATP physiotherapist for enabling him to play, revealing he was close to pulling out due to severe knee pain. He mentioned that he was fortunate to receive last-minute treatment that allowed him to compete.
Mensik also expressed his admiration for Djokovic, stating that he began playing tennis because of him and acknowledged the difficulty of defeating Djokovic in a final. He felt it was his moment and focused on the match as he had in previous rounds.
Mensik, who was unseeded, progressed through the Miami Open draw, overcoming Jack Draper in the second round before reaching the final against Djokovic. The final itself experienced delays due to storms in Florida.
Djokovic appeared to be struggling with fatigue and was seen using eye drops during the match. This loss means he continues to wait for his first tournament win since the Olympics.
Despite the defeat, Djokovic praised Mensik in his runner-up speech, acknowledging Mensik`s superior play, especially in crucial moments, and his strong serve. He congratulated Mensik on his first title and wished him continued success.
