By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 30, 2025
Though Sunday was a difficult day for Novak Djokovic in Miami, as he fell short in his bid for his 100th career title in two tight sets to Jakub Mensik, the Grand Slam king was all class on the court and in the pressroom as he praised the 19-year-old Czech, whom he has mentored for several years now.
“Never really happy to lose, but he's one of the very few players that I would be happier to lose to, to be honest,” Djokovic told reporters “I have seen him play when he was 15 or 16 and invited him, we had some training blocks together. He was training at my club in Belgrade. To see his development and evolution is really great, amazing.”
Mensik has shown gratitude to Djokovic for taking him under his wing. Anyone who watched the pair interact after the final could see that the respect and admiration he has for the Serbian icon is great.
Djokovic says that he could see very early on that Mensik had what it takes to be a top player.
“I could see back then already that three, four years ago that he's going to be one of the top players of the world,” he said. “I'm super glad that he's using the potential that he has, because he's got the complete game. Obviously his serve is incredible: powerful, precise, wins a lot of free points with the first serve.”
Mensik served lights out against the best returner in the world on Sunday in Miami, but he used more than just the serve to get over the line against Djokovic.
Djokovic said the teenager’s forehand is one of his most improved shots. Neither wing broke down under extreme pressure from Djokovic as the 37-year-old tried to force a third set.
“Backhand, as well – Czech school, they always have a great backhand,” Djokovic said. “But forehand, he's improved a lot. And movement for a tall, big guy like that, he slides and moves well.
LOVED THE FIGHTING SPIRIT
Djokovic said he was impressed while watching Mensik as a junior in 2022, when the Czech had full body cramps during a long battle with Bruno Kuzuhara in the Boys final that year.
Djokovic contacted him after that match and invited him to train with him. They have been in contact – and have trained together periodically – ever since.
“I loved the fighting spirit when he was down in that final I saw in Australia, and obviously big game. Seemed like a nice guy, Eastern European. I gave a call through my management, his management, and we found a connection. He accepted to come.
"We had three training blocks together. And actually, his physio who is with him now was my physio, Serbian guy. There are a lot of connecting things that we have in common. So as I said, big game, big potential. I'm sure that he's got a bright future.”