MIAMI – Jakub Mensik arrived in Miami with sensations he had never experienced before. For the first time in his young career, he came to an ATP tournament as the defending champion. A year earlier, he had lived the “dream” of defeating Novak Djokovic, his idol, in the final of a Masters 1000.
“It’s the first time I’m defending a big title and I really want to experience more of these kinds of situations in the future,” the 20-year-old Czech told a small group of media outlets, including CLAY, in one of the lounges at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Coming back to Miami a year later brings back great memories and gives me goosebumps. I’m very happy to be back, well prepared, feeling good, and I want to enjoy every moment on court like I did last year,” added Mensik, who earlier this year won the ATP title in Auckland and is currently world No. 13.
Twelve months ago, Mensik played the best tennis of his life in Florida: “The real breakthrough of my career.”
“Playing against my idol in the biggest final of my career was something many people can only wish for. Beating Novak and standing next to him on the podium was truly special,” said the Czech, an athlete with ambitious goals. “I want to win all four Grand Slams and become world No. 1,” he told CLAY during the Copa Cap Cana in 2025, days before going on to win the Miami Open.
His victory over the most successful player of all time, he says, triggered many changes: “Anyone who wants to become a top player has to go through those experiences. I took it as something important, not just on court but also off court.”
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
In the tournament’s entire history, only Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras have managed to defend the title in Miami. With that achievement so far reserved for four of the greatest legends in tennis, Mensik faces a major challenge — one he is trying not to turn into pressure.
“I’m not trying to put pressure on myself, whether from the media or from outside expectations,” said the youngest player in the top 20, ahead of his debut at the second Masters 1000 of the year.
Join our community on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook.
