Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik embraced the Masters 1000 final with the biggest age difference in Miami. The 19-year-old Czech ousted the 37-year-old Serb 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and three minutes en route to his first ATP title!
World no. 54 prevailed over his idol after a massive battle, lifting a notable trophy and cracking the top-25. At 19 years and six months, Jakub became the fifth-youngest Masters 1000 champion, conquering this level before the 24-time Major winner.
Novak shared a message with Jakub, praising the young gun and encouraging him to keep striving for more in the future.
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 final de Masters 1000.
— Set Tenis (@settenisok) March 31, 2025
Djokovic recognized Mensik’s talent at the Australian Open three years ago. He invited a teenager to Belgrade and shared his knowledge and contacts with the upcoming star. The Czech never forgot that, thanking the legend for everything following the Miami final.
The title clash started late due to an extended rain delay, leaving the players compete in challenging conditions. They did their best and pushed each other to the limits after splitting 152 points. The servers offered the returners only four break points.
Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Jakub forged the advantage at the beginning of the duel, and Novak erased it to follow the teenager’s pace until the end. The more experienced player did not play at his best in the tie breaks, with the young gun outplaying him and lifting a trophy.
The six-time champion sprayed a forehand error in the second game of the duel and experienced an early break. Mensik provided fine holds and forged a 4-1 advantage. Djokovic pulled the break back in the seventh game after the rival’s backhand error.
Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
They served well in the remaining five games to arrange a tie break. Jakub grabbed a mini-break in the second point after a lucky net cord and a behind-the-back volley winner. Novak missed a forehand in the third point and played a loose drop shot to find himself 5-0 down.
Mensik landed a smash winner in the eighth point for 6-2 and four set points. He seized the third with a smash winner, wrapping up the opener 7-6 in 55 minutes and gathering a boost. Jakub served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic faced the ultimate challenge at 2-2. The veteran saved two break points and held to remain in contention. They introduced another tie break, and the Serb had no room for errors. However, he sprayed two from his backhand in the opening points.
Djokovic drew the rival’s mistake and erased the deficit before Mensik brought a grueling baseline exchange home in the fifth point for a 3-2 lead. Novak claimed the seventh point following the rival’s wayward backhand and kept himself alive.
Novak Djokovic & Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
However, he netted a routine forehand in the eighth point and propelled his rival 5-3 in front. Djokovic’s backhand went into the net in the ninth point, and he offered Mensik three match points. The Czech converted the second with a service winner, starting a massive celebration of his first ATP title.
“Congratulations, Jakub – this is your moment. Enjoy it, and keep striving for more,” Novak Djokovic wrote.
Tennis World USA