Jakub Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic in the Miami Masters final. The young gun earned a 7-6, 7-6 triumph in two hours and three minutes, lifting his first ATP trophy and earning notable milestones.
Among other milestones, Jakub became only the fifth teenager to have beaten Novak on the ATP level! Djokovic has lost 227 ATP matches, and only five defeats came from the racquets of those who did not celebrate their 20th birthday.
It all started with Filip Krajinovic 15 years ago. Stefanos Tsitsipas added his name to the list a couple of days before turning 20 in 2018. Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune toppled Djokovic in 2022, and Mensik joined them last 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 place on the exclusive list after beating Djokovic in the 2006 Roland Garros quarter-final shortly after his 20th birthday. Thus, Filip Krajinovic became the first teenager with a win over his compatriot in Belgrade in 2010.
Two Serbs battled in the quarter-final, and the 18-year-old claimed the opening set 6-4. Novak did not feel well, and he retired ahead of the second set due to allergies. Seven years later, Alexander Zverev bested Djokovic in Rome a couple of weeks after turning 20.
Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The legend fought against another young gun at the Canada Masters 15 months later. Stefanos Tsitsipas showed his rich talent in the summer of 2018 and ousted Djokovic 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in the third round a couple of days before turning 20!
Thus, the Greek joined Krajinovic on the exclusive list. Four years later, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune stepped onto the scene as the leading figures of the 2003 generation. The Spaniard faced the legend in Madrid in 2022, a couple of days after turning 19.
Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Two rivals pushed each other to the limits at Caja Magica before the home favorite prevailed 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 in a thriller. Carlos kept his composure in the closing stages of sets two and three to become the third teenager with an ATP win over Novak.
The Serb faced Holger Rune in the Paris Masters final. The young Dane prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, mirroring Alcaraz’s feat and ousting the legend from a set down. Holger became 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 party at 19 years and six months. The Czech almost skipped the Miami Masters. Luckily, he stayed in the draw and bested six rivals en route to his first ATP crown. Jakub faced his idol Novak in the final.
A teenager held his nerves and took the pivotal points in a 7-6, 7-6 triumph. They traded breaks once in the opener and remained neck and neck. Both players claimed 76 points, and Jakub grabbed the essential ones in two tie break.
Thus, he became the fifth teenager to have beaten Novak in the ATP matches.
Tennis World USA