Jakub Mensik opens up about not being able to sleep after beating Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open final
Jakub Mensik was unbeaten in nine ATP Masters 1000 matches until recently, since the Miami Open in March.
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Novak Djokovic, Jakub Mensik (Image via X/Univers Tennis)
Jakub Mensik made history at the Miami Open last month when he became the second-youngest champion behind Carlos Alcaraz, who won it in 2022 as an 18-year-old. The 19-year-old star defeated Novak Djokovic in the final to claim the title. He reflects on how he couldn’t sleep after the victory.
Mensik arrived in Miami, not at his best fitness level. In fact, shortly before his opening match against Roberto Bautista Agut, the teenager was on his way to the referee’s room to announce his withdrawal but found that the official was out for lunch, and he visited the physio’s room instead.
However, he went on to win seven consecutive matches at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. He also earned three top-10 wins in the competition. First against Jack Draper in the second round before beating Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals and eventually triumphing over Djokovic in 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) in the final.
Over a month after the victory, Mensik has yet to forget his only ATP career title. The Czech Republic star revealed that he couldn’t sleep for two days after beating the Serbian as it was an incredible and very tough experience for him.
After winning, I couldn’t sleep for two days. Miami was an incredible but very tough experience. I remember all the craziness before the final, with the delay due to rain and all the rest. There I was, playing the biggest final of my career against Novak, the one who has taught me everything; there couldn’t be a better feeling. I tried to enjoy it, to bring out my best tennis; I really felt I was ready to defeat him. Fortunately, I managed to gather the confidence to win that final.
Jakub Mensik said via Madrid Open Press
Mensik withdrew from the Monte Carlo after the Miami Open triumph. However, he featured at the BMW Open in Munich but lost in the first round against Yannick Hanfmann in three sets.
Jakub Mensik is not bothered that Joao Fonseca receives more praise than him
Jakub Mensik is the only teenager in the men’s circuit who has won an ATP Masters 1000 title but he hasn’t enjoyed the same fame as Joao Fonseca. Fonseca claimed his only tour-level title at the Argentina Open in February and has always been praised more than Mensik, who is into his second Masters quarter-finals, something the Brazilian has never done. The Czech teen was asked about it and he revealed that he had no problem with it.
Everyone asks me this question. Joao is a great player; we are from the same generation, but he comes from a very large country like Brazil, perhaps that is why he receives more attention than me. I have no problem with this; for me, the important thing is success and the titles I can achieve in the future. I cannot be concerned with what happens off the court or the topics that the media discuss.
Jakub Mensik said
Fonseca lost to Tommy Paul in the second round of the Madrid Open and then went on to feature at the ATP Challenger in Estoril. He lost to Jesper De Jong 2-6, 5-7 in the second round of the competition.
Jakub Mensik crashed out in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open
Jakub Mensik extended his ATP Masters 1000 winning streak to nine matches after beating Alexander Bublik in the round of 16. The 19-year-old Czech Republic star continued his impressive run in Miami last month in Madrid. He defeated Bublik 6-3, 6-2 to reach his first clay Masters quarter-finals.
Mensik might possibly move to a new career-high ranking after the Madrid Open. He currently stands at World No.21 in the ATP live rankings. He also boasts an amazing 6-1 record against Top 20 players this season. He then faced Francisco Cerundolo in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. Despite taking the first set, the Argentine star roared back to oust Mensik.
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