MIAMI: Young athlete Jakub Mensik claimed the first title of his tennis career with a win over top athlete Novak Djokovic with a final scoreline of 7-6(4), 7-6(4) at the Miami Open. However, despite his success, the athlete admitted that he nearly withdrew from the tournament due to inflammation in his right knee.
Mensik expressed that before his opening match against Roberto Bautista Agut, he went to the referee’s room to officially withdraw from the tournament because of his injury. However, he learned that the official was out for lunch, so he decided to go to the physio’s room instead to have treatment.
The athlete shared the gravity of his injury based on his pain and said, “It was a big inflammation. I couldn’t walk; I couldn’t run… I started to treat it, started to take painkillers. Nothing was helping. During match day, it was the same… I tried to step on the treadmill. I couldn’t move.”
He added: “I was visiting the referee’s office to say: ‘Guys, I’m pulling out,’ but he was having lunch, so OK, let’s visit the physio first. I said, ‘Hey, my knee is hurting. Just fill (out) the paper. I’m going.’”
Moreover, the physio treated his knee and declared it was not a serious problem. Mensik shared: “I stepped on the treadmill, and it was the same, but I went over the pain. I was suffering in those moments… After a few minutes, I started to feel a little relief. I took different painkillers, which helped a little bit. I was like, ‘It’s 30 minutes before the match. I can walk. I can run. Let’s see.’
“Somehow, I won the first round, and then, I had one day off. Day by day, the knee was getting better and with that also my game,” he said.
With this unexpected turn of events, he then defeated Djokovic and hoped that the Miami Open title would be his first of many. He said, “I’m still 19, so I have all of my career in front of me… It feels great to have this (trophy) next to me, but it’s not just about the one title, one tournament … I’m hungry for more.”
Djokovic on being happy with the teenagers win
Although Djokovic is disappointed at missing out on his 100th ATP title, he expressed his support as the teenager rose in his career. The top athlete said, “I’m never really happy to lose, but he’s one of the few players I would be happier to lose to.”
Djokovic also shared his encounters with Mensik: “I’ve seen him play when he was 15 or 16 and invited him. We had some training blocks together. He was training at my club in Belgrade [in 2022], and to see his development and evolution is really great, amazing… I could see back then that he’s going to be one of the top players of the world. I’m super-glad he’s using the potential he has because he’s got the complete game.
“His serve is incredible, powerful, precise, and he wins a lot of free points with the first serve. Backhand, as well. Czech (schools)—they always have a great backhand, but forehand, he’s improved a lot, and movement for a tall, big guy like that, he slides and moves well. He still can improve, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing him around.”
On social media, Mensik posted about his success and said: “MASTERS 1000 CHAMPION!!! 🏆Living the dream Miami! ❤️”
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Netizens also expressed their support for the young athlete. One netizen commented: “Chasing you around over the past two years, and it’s so nice to see you holding that trophy. ❤️ Like I always said, there will be MORE to come, and here it is!! Enjoy and keep working; it’s just a start🔥”
More netizens said: “Congratulations new champions 🙌🎊🎉🥳”, “Congratulations. Well deserved 🙌”, and “My new tennis crush❤️❤️❤️ congrats🔥🎾💫💫💫”