Jack Draper’s match at the Miami Open descended into chaos on Saturday, March 22, 2025, as he faced off against Czech player Jakub Mensik, losing in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6. But the real drama unfolded off the court.
In a bizarre turn of events, Brazilian fans erupted in protest when it was announced that the highly anticipated match between Brazilian tennis sensation Joao Fonseca and France’s Ugo Humbert was moved to accommodate an additional match before the night session. With many Brazilians already packed into the Grandstand court for Fonseca's match, the organizers’ decision left them furious.
The change in schedule was announced while Mensik was leading in the second set, at a critical moment when Draper had just lost the first set in a tense tiebreak. Fans, who had been excitedly waiting to see Fonseca play, stormed out of the Grandstand court, chanting and booing loudly. This forced officials to halt Draper and Mensik’s match for a five-minute delay as the irate spectators were cleared away.
The uproar left many wondering how the event organizers had failed to see the potential for such chaos. With so many Brazilian fans there to see their home-grown player, the announcement seemed careless. It took considerable time and effort to calm the scene before play could resume. Draper himself pointed out the concerns during the delay, insisting it was impossible to maintain focus under such conditions.
“You did not have to be the Kaiser Chiefs to predict a riot,” noted a spectator in the crowd, reflecting the collective disbelief at the mismanagement.
Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Mensik played remarkably well, showcasing his talent even amidst the distractions. The 19-year-old won the match while displaying strong composure, securing victory in two tight tiebreaks. Draper's performance seemed lackluster compared to his previous showing at Indian Wells, where he had recently triumphed.
Mensik, a protégé of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, proved his mettle by regrouping after a shaky start. Although he gave Draper an early lead in the second set, he stormed back, securing crucial points in the tiebreak after Draper suffered from a couple of errors.
Earlier that day, in another disappointing turn for the British contingent, Draper's childhood friend Jacob Fearnley was eliminated by top-seed Alexander Zverev in a straight-set match, 6-2, 6-4. It marked a tough day for Draper fans, with hopes riding high after his prior tournament win.
As for Fonseca, he ultimately defeated Humbert later that evening, winning 6-4, 6-3 and clearing his path to the next round where he will face either Alex De Minaur or Yunchaokete Bu. The Brazilian, ranked 60th, had brought a fervent local crowd along, escalating the atmosphere significantly for his matches.
In hindsight, the Miami Open's organizers will face scrutiny over their scheduling decisions that led to such unrest among fans. As the tennis world watches, it’s abundantly clear that managing crowd expectations is crucial to maintaining order during the competitive and electric environment of Grand Slam events.
The situation culminates in a sobering reminder of the passionate allegiance fans hold for their players and how pivotal it is for organizers to tread cautiously between match schedules and fan engagement.
