By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 30, 2025
Although Sunday was a troublesome day for Novak Djokovic in Miami, as he fell brief in his bid for his one centesimal profession title in two tight units to Jakub Mensik, the Grand Slam king was all class on the court docket and within the pressroom as he praised the 19-year-old Czech, whom he has mentored for a number of years now.
“By no means actually completely happy to lose, however he is one of many only a few gamers that I might be happier to lose to, to be trustworthy,” Djokovic instructed reporters “I’ve seen him play when he was 15 or 16 and invited him, we had some coaching blocks collectively. He was coaching at my membership in Belgrade. To see his growth and evolution is admittedly nice, superb.”
Mensik has proven gratitude to Djokovic for taking him beneath his wing. Anybody who watched the pair work together after the ultimate might see that the respect and admiration he has for the Serbian icon is nice.
Correct respect 🙏@mensik_jakub_ & @DjokerNole present us what it is all about.#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/tMlUvgmvkl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 31, 2025
Djokovic says that he might see very early on that Mensik had what it takes to be a prime participant.
“I might see again then already that three, 4 years in the past that he’ll be one of many prime gamers of the world,” he mentioned. “I am tremendous glad that he is utilizing the potential that he has, as a result of he is bought the whole sport. Clearly his serve is unbelievable: highly effective, exact, wins lots of free factors with the primary serve.”
Mensik served lights out in opposition to the perfect returner on the planet on Sunday in Miami, however he used extra than simply the serve to recover from the road in opposition to Djokovic.
Djokovic mentioned {the teenager}’s forehand is certainly one of his most improved pictures. Neither wing broke down beneath excessive strain from Djokovic because the 37-year-old tried to drive a 3rd set.
“Backhand, as effectively – Czech college, they at all times have an amazing backhand,” Djokovic mentioned. “However forehand, he is improved loads. And motion for a tall, huge man like that, he slides and strikes effectively.
LOVED THE FIGHTING SPIRIT
Djokovic mentioned he was impressed whereas watching Mensik as a junior in 2022, when the Czech had full physique cramps throughout an extended battle with Bruno Kuzuhara within the Boys ultimate that 12 months.
Djokovic contacted him after that match and invited him to coach with him. They’ve been in touch – and have educated collectively periodically – ever since.
“I beloved the preventing spirit when he was down in that ultimate I noticed in Australia, and clearly huge sport. Appeared like a pleasant man, Japanese European. I gave a name via my administration, his administration, and we discovered a connection. He accepted to come back.
“We had three coaching blocks collectively. And really, his physio who’s with him now was my physio, Serbian man. There are lots of connecting issues that now we have in frequent. In order I mentioned, huge sport, huge potential. I am positive that he is bought a vibrant future.”
