Winning your first ATP title at the Miami Masters 1000 at just 19, denying the most successful player in history his 100th title in the final, must be reserved for special players. Jakub Mensik proved to be one of them.
The Czech defeated Novak Djokovic—his idol and the very reason he plays tennis—7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).
“The first of many,” he wrote on the camera after delivering a performance that suffocated Djokovic, especially with his serve. The six-time Miami champion was visibly exhausted by the time the match ended, close to 11 p.m., after a rain delay of more than five hours.
Mensik knows he can back up the claim he wrote in orange ink for the cameras. His confidence is soaring, and he’s not afraid to reveal his biggest dreams in tennis. He shared them with CLAY the week before the Miami Masters 1000, while preparing at the Challenger 175 in the Dominican Republic: “My biggest ambition? To be No. 1 and win all the Grand Slams.”
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“This new generation is about to bring something new to tennis. In my opinion, there’s a greater emphasis on the physical side of the game. Also, I think we can absorb a lot by playing against the best players in the world. We learn a lot from that. That way, one day we can reach their level,” Mensik told CLAY.
Mensik is the highest-ranked teenager in the ATP rankings, and along with João Fonseca, he is expected to lead his generation. The Czech has received far less media attention compared to the Brazilian, despite posting better results. Mensik himself has publicly shared his thoughts on this difference in media impact.
“Maybe it’s because I come from the Czech Republic, a small country. Even here in Miami, I feel like I’m in South America—I haven’t heard anyone speaking English on the street yet. It’s great to see new names emerging. We’re here to follow in the footsteps of Jannik (Sinner) and Carlos (Alcaraz), and in the end, the spotlight will be on whoever becomes the best player in the world,” he said.
Mensik, the King of Tiebreaks rocks in Miami
Jakub Mensik’s Miami triumph can largely be attributed to his dominance in tiebreaks.
The Czech reached 6-6 in seven sets in Florida—and won them all. An impressive feat for a 19-year-old. Jack Draper, Arthur Fils, Taylor Fritz, and Djokovic all fell victim to his efficiency.
He never wavered in high-pressure moments, not even when Djokovic tried to unsettle him.
At the start of the first tiebreak, a Mensik shot clipped the net cord. Djokovic rushed forward and barely got to it, only for the Czech to send the ball back, forcing the Serbian to scramble towards the baseline.
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Djokovic responded with a short lob, and Mensik punished it with a spectacular backhand smash, celebrating with a clenched fist.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion shot him a defiant look, demanding an apology for accidentally altering the ball’s trajectory. Mensik raised his hands in acknowledgment.
