Jakub Mensik will never forget how he won his first ATP Tour title. The #NextGenATP Czech overcame rain and an opponent chasing history Sunday when he stunned six-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 7-6(4) for the Miami Open presented by Itau trophy. The 19-year-old became the second-youngest titlist in tournament history behind Carlos Alcaraz, who lifted the trophy in 2022 as an 18-year-old.
The match was delayed nearly six hours by rain in Florida, giving the teen plenty of time to think about the task at hand, which was trying to stop Djokovic from claiming the 100th tour-level title of his career. But Mensik, who was born in September 2005, when Djokovic was already in the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings, did not shrink in the moment. Instead, the Czech rose to the occasion to play the match of his life, producing a scintillating serving performance to become the first player from his country to win an ATP Masters 1000 event since Tomas Berdych triumphed in Paris in 2005.
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 entered the match fresh off a victory 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.
Djokovic, 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.
Djokovic found his rhythm from the back of the court early in the second set, putting plenty of pressure on his young opponent. But Mensik was relentless with his accurate serve. He faced just one break point in the match and won 77 percent of his first-serve points according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Did You Know? This was the second Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between Djokovic and Mensik. The 18-year difference between them marked the biggest age gap in an ATP Masters 1000 final. Their series is now tied at 1-1 (Djokovic won in Shanghai last year).
The 2025 Miami Open Final odds heavily favored Novak Djokovic against teenager Jakub Mensik, who was fighting for his first ATP Tour title ever. In comparison, the Serbian was looking for his 100th Tour title and his seventh in Miami. Jakub Mensik's moneyline was +325 and Novak Djokovic's moneyline was -425, indicating the clear favoritism towards the seasoned player.
Unseeded Mensik had only dropped one set on his way to the final, showcasing his potential as a formidable opponent. His wins included two top-ten upsets of Jack Draper in the Round of 64 and then Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. Mensik prevailed 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4) against Fritz, recording an impressive 25 aces in the process.
Mensik's victory over Indian Wells champion Draper was also close, 7–6(2), 7-6(3). In fact, of his eight sets won, only one has been by more than two games. By beating two top-ten players this tournament, Mensik now owns the third-best winning percentage among active players (58.3%) against the top ten, trailing only Djokovic (69%) and Carlos Alcaraz (63.2%). Overall, Mensik's 2025 record now sits at 16-7.
Despite being ranked 54th in the ATP Rankings, the 19-year-old was poised to surge into the top 30 after this event. Djokovic, on the other hand, first won the Miami Open in 2007, the same year Mensik was born. The Serbian has gone on to win in Miami six more times, but none since 2016.
Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals, winning 87% of his first serves and converting 4 of 6 breakpoints. His 2025 record is now 12-4, and this victory showcased that he is very close to his optimal form.
This final was just the second meeting between Mensik and Djokovic, who previously played in the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters last fall. Djokovic won that encounter 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4, but Mensik's performance in Miami proved he was not to be underestimated.
As the match concluded, Mensik's victorious roar echoed through the stadium, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career. The young Czech player had not only claimed his first title but had also made a statement to the tennis world that he is a force to be reckoned with.
In the end, Mensik's triumph over Djokovic in the Miami Open final will be remembered as a significant milestone, not just for the player himself but for the future of tennis. The young star has shown that with determination and skill, anything is possible, even against the greatest of champions.
