Miami#NextGenATP star chasing first ATP Tour title
March 31, 2025
Al Bello/Getty Images
Jakub Mensik hits a forehand against Novak Djokovic during their rain-delayed Miami final on Sunday evening. By ATP Staff
Jakub Mensik is one set away from claiming his first ATP Tour title at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
The #NextGenATP Czech leads six-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) in a final that was delayed by nearly six hours due to rain. Mensik, 19, is trying to become the second-youngest titlist in tournament history behind Carlos Alcaraz, who lifted the trophy in 2022 as an 18-year-old.
Djokovic is chasing history of his own, standing one trophy from the 100th title of his career. The Serbian, competing in Miami for the first time since 2019, can also break a tie with Roger Federer for the most hard-court titles in the Open Era by claiming his 72nd.
The final was originally scheduled for not before 3 p.m. local time in Florida. But rain, which interrupted the women’s doubles final, pushed back the player walk-on for the last match of the tournament until 8:37 p.m.
It was clear from early in the clash that Djokovic was struggling with an issue underneath his right eye. The 37-year-old consistently reached towards his eye and used eye drops during changeovers.
Mensik earned the biggest win of his career in the semi-finals against Taylor Fritz, the No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, and retained his momentum to start against Djokovic, surging to a 3-0 lead. The 99-time tour-level titlist pushed a forehand wide to relinquish a break in the second game of the match and searched for his game early.
When the Czech teen hit a backhand up the line into the net to give the break back, the pressure was on from the 40-time ATP Masters 1000 champion. But Djokovic grew increasingly frustrated on return, consistently speaking with his box, including team member Carlos Gomez-Herrera, who urgently signaled his advice.
That frustration carried into the tie-break, in which it was the veteran who cracked. Mensik quickly grabbed a 5/0 lead, showing his athleticism with a backhand smash while allowing Djokovic to make mistakes, both physically and with his shot selection.
The six-time Miami champion made his opponent earn the set, pulling to within a 6/4 deficit. But Mensik closed out the opener with an overhead and turned towards his box to let out a roar.
Did You Know?
This is the second Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between Djokovic and Mensik. The 18-year difference between them marks the biggest age gap in an ATP Masters 1000 final.
