In a heartfelt moment at the Miami Open, 19-year-old Jakub Mensik paid tribute to his childhood idol, Novak Djokovic, after defeating him in the final. Mensik, who secured his first ATP title with a 7-6(4), 7-6(4) victory, revealed that Djokovic was the reason he began playing tennis.
During the trophy ceremony, Mensik expressed his admiration for the Serbian legend, saying, “When I was young, I started to play tennis because of you. There is no harder task for a tennis player than to beat you in the finals of a tournament.” His words highlighted the profound impact Djokovic has had on his career and the sport as a whole.
The match itself was a thrilling encounter, with Mensik showcasing remarkable composure and skill to overcome the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Despite the pressure of facing his idol, Mensik delivered a performance that demonstrated his potential as a rising star in the tennis world.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Mensik, not only as his first ATP title but also as a moment of personal achievement against the player who inspired his journey. The young Czech player’s heartfelt words and impressive performance have captured the attention of tennis fans worldwide, signaling the arrival of a new talent on the global stage.
Novak Djokovic in 2025
Ranked no.5, the Serbian played his last contest on the 30th of March when he surrendered to world no.54 Jakub Mensik 7-6(4) 7-6(4)
in the final in Miami (draw).Currently, during this year Novak owns a 12-5 record. Novak Djokovic’s latest run in Miami was the best achievement of his season.
Jakub Mensik in 2025
Currently the world no.54, Jakub played his last match on the 30th of March when he overcame world no.5 Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) 7-6(4) in the final in Miami to win his 0th challenger.
Until now, during this year Mensik has managed to achieve a composed 17-7 win-loss record. This year, Jakub won 1 tournament in Miami.
Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik clashed against each other only 2 times. Their current record is 1-1.