Novak Djokovic declined in his try to assert a 100th ATP title following a defeat of straight units by Czech Jakub MensiK within the Miami Open ultimate.
Djokovic sought to hitch Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the one three males within the skilled period with 100 or extra titles, however the 37-year-old collapsed at a 7-6 shock (7-Four) 7-6 (7-Four) defeat in moist circumstances after a number of hours.
The Czech Republic, 19, received its first Remaining ATP Masters 1000 and have become the second youngest champion behind Carlos Alcaraz, who received in 2022 18 years.
The defeat leaves Djokovic, who appeared to struggle with an issue beneath his proper eye, with no title within the Match on the 2023 ATP ultimate. His solely success in 2024 got here to the Olympic Video games.
“There isn’t a heavier process in tennis than beating it within the ultimate,” mentioned Mensik, who misplaced the one earlier assembly with Djokovic in Shanghai.
“You’re the one I idoled after I was younger. I began taking part in tennis due to you.
“However in fact, I felt very nice and it is my time, so I simply tried to deal with the match as I did earlier than within the earlier rounds.”
Mensik, who defeated World no. Four Taylor Fritz within the semifinals and Indian Wells champion, Jack Draper, in a earlier spherical, broke the champion six occasions in Miami in his opening service.
Djokovic equalized as he began on the one break level that Mensik confronted within the match, however fought on his return and misplaced the primary 5 factors of the opening set.
It was rallied earlier than descending by 7-Four and, as he discovered a rhythm behind the court docket, he couldn’t make any foray towards the Mensik service, and accomplished the victory in one other equal break within the second set.
Djokovic calls him “an odd day”
Djokovic mentioned that the lack of his protege made somewhat simpler to digest
Djokovic acknowledged his opponent – 18 years previous – was higher and congratulated him for an “unbelievable tour”.
“That is Jakub’s time – the second of his group, the second of his household. Congratulations, an unimaginable tour,” Djokovic mentioned.
“It hurts me to confess, however you had been higher! Within the moments of the clutch, you delivered the products. Unbelievable service and solely a psychological phenomenal effort, to remain robust in a tough time.”
Djokovic referred to as it “an odd day” and mentioned that “he actually prefers to not speak about” his eye, however he added: “I didn’t really feel the most important on the bottom.”
“I’m by no means very glad to lose, however he is without doubt one of the few gamers I’d be happier to lose, to be trustworthy,” Djokovic instructed reporters. “I noticed him taking part in when he was 15 or 16 years previous and I invited him. I had some coaching blocks collectively. He skilled at my Belgrade membership (in 2022) and to see his improvement and evolution could be very huge.
“We might already see that it is going to be one of many high gamers of the world. I’m very glad to make use of the potential it has as a result of it has the total recreation.”
“His service is unimaginable, highly effective, exact and earns lots of free factors with the primary service,” the 24 -year -old Grand Slam champion added.
“Simply as effectively. The Czech college, they at all times have a fantastic backhand. However earlier than, it has improved rather a lot. And motion for a tall man, huge like this, he slips and strikes effectively.
“It could nonetheless enhance, in fact, so I am certain we’ll see it round.
“For me it’s sad.
Menisk will rise to a finest 24 within the Monday standings, two years after being 390 on this planet.
He additionally grew to become the primary Czech participant to win an ATP Masters 1000 occasion since Tomas Berdych predominated in Paris in 2005.
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