Jakub Mensik claimed the first title of his career with a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) win over Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s Miami Open final but the Czech teenager revealed he had nearly pulled out of the tournament due to inflammation in his right knee.
Shortly before his opener against Roberto Bautista Agut, the 19-year-old 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.
“It was just a big inflammation. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run,” Mensik said. “I started to treat it, started to take painkillers. Nothing was helping. During matchday it was the same … I tried to step on the treadmill. I couldn’t move. I was like: ‘OK, well, that’s it. I’m pulling out.’
“I was visiting the referee’s office to say: ‘Guys, I’m pulling out,’ but he was having lunch. So OK, let’s visit the physio first. I was there and I said: ‘Hey, my knee is hurting. Just fill the paper. I’m going.’”
Mensik said that the physio worked on his knee and deemed that it was not a serious problem. “I was like: ’OK, let’s try one more time. I stepped on the treadmill and it was the same. But I went over the pain. I was suffering in those moments,” Mensik added.
“After a few minutes I started to feel a little relief. I took different painkillers, which helped a little bit. I was like: ‘OK, let’s try it. It’s like 30 minutes before the match. I can walk. I can run. Let’s see’.
“Somehow I won the first round and then I had one day off, which of course, for my knee was much more better. Day by day the knee was getting better and with that also my game.“
Mensik hoped his Miami title would be the first of many. “I’m still 19, so I have all of my career in front of me,” he added. “It feels great to have this [trophy] next to me, but it’s not just about the one title, one tournament … I’m hungry for more.”
Despite disappointment at failing to win his 100th ATP title, Djokovic said he was happy that the teenager was delivering on his potential.
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“I’m 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 said. “I’ve 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 [in 2022] and to see his development and evolution is really great, amazing.
“I could see back then already that he’s going to be 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.
“His serve is incredible, powerful, precise and he wins a lot of free points with the first serve. Backhand, as well. Czech school – they always have a great backhand. 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.”
Reflecting on his own performance, he added: “It’s unfortunate for me. I didn’t feel my greatest on court, but it is what it is. Nothing to take away from his victory.”