Novak Djokovic lost to Jakub Mensik 7-6(4), 7-6(4) in the Miami Open final on Sunday night, but it wasn’t because the 37-year-old Serb was taken by surprise. He had long since been aware of Mensik’s immense talent.
Djokovic first saw Mensik play in the 2022 Australian Open junior final, which the Czech lost to Bruno Kuzuhara 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 7-5 after three hours and 43 minutes. Mensik suffered from cramps–understandably so–and had to be wheelchaired off the court when it ended.
Later that year, Djokovic invited Mensik to Belgrade for training block.
“I loved the fighting spirit when he was down in that finals I saw in Australia,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said during Sunday’s post-match press conference. “And obviously (he had a) big game. Seemed like a nice guy, Eastern European. I gave a call through my management, his management, and we found a connection. He accepted to come.
“We had three training blocks together. And actually, his physio who is with him now was my physio, Serbian guy. There is a lot of connecting things that we have in common.”
Almost nothing–other than an 18-year age difference–has separated them in their two head-to-head matchups. Djokovic won a tight three-setter at the Shanghai Masters last fall prior to Mensik’s two-tiebreaker victory in Miami. Those results have left the veteran even more impressed with the 19-year-old than he was a few years ago.
“To see his development and evolution is really great–amazing,” Djokovic assured. “I could see back then already that he’s going to be one of the top players of the world. I’m super glad that he’s using the potential that he has, because he’s got the complete game. Obviously his serve is incredible, powerful, precise, wins a lot of free points with the first serve. Backhand, as well…. Czech school–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, of course. So I’m sure we’ll be seeing him around.”
high praise from Djokovic