Beaten Djokovic praises Mensik: “I could see three or four years ago that he’d be one of the top players in the world”

Novak Djokovic admitted he was not quite at his best in the Miami Open final on Sunday night, missing out on a chance to win his 100th career title.

But the 37-year-old was nevertheless full of praiise for Jakub Mensik – a 7-6, 7-6 winner in the final -revealing that he’d spotted the Czech’s potential long ago. “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 in Miami.

“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 and to see his development and evolution is really great, amazing.

“I could see back then already that three, four years ago that he’s going to be, you know, one of the top players of the world. 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.

“Backhand, as well, you know. Czech school, they always have a great backhand (smiling). But forehand, he’s improved a lot. And movement for a tall, big guy like that, he slides and moves well. He still can improve, of course. So I’m sure we’ll be seeing him around.”

Djokovic had played brilliantly over the fortnight, serving superbly as he reached his first final since winning the Olympics last summer. And though he hinted that he was not physically at his best on the day, the Serbian did not want to take the attention away from Mensik.

Physical issues

“Yeah, it’s unfortunate for me,” he said, having been photographed earlier in the day with what looked like a stye on his right eye. “Two tiebreaks, just very weird match, weird day with rain delay and all the things that is happening. Honestly, yeah, I didn’t feel my greatest on the court, but it is what it is. Nothing to take away from his victory.

“I really prefer not to talk about — there is quite a few things, but I prefer not to… just congratulate him. That’s it. I don’t want to sound like I’m giving excuses here for my loss.”

Mensik averaged around 20 aces per match, keeping Djokovic on the back foot. “I think he was serving even better than he was serving in Shanghai (their only previous meeting, in 2024, when Djokovic won in three sets) and there he was serving really well,” Djokovic said. “I think game was similar, but my level was not like it was in Shanghai.”

Djokovic upbeat despite defeat

overall obviously now bitter taste because of the loss, but Miami, as I said on the court, really brought me a lot of joy and really good sensations on and off the court.

I was very welcomed very nicely by people and supported. Incredible again tonight, great support from the stadium in the match. They were pushing me on and trying to give me strength for a comeback.

Very grateful. Just enjoyed my experience overall. It was amazing run. Unfortunately ended with a loss in the finals, but I played some really good tennis up to toda