Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik met for the first time on the court at the Shanghai Masters in 2024. The then 18-year-old had just made his ATP debut last year and was facing the behemoth task of not just facing a 24-time Grand Slam champion but his idol and childhood hero. Despite that, the Czech starlet managed to take a set off of the Serbian legend before eventually lost the match. Fast forward to the Miami Open, where the student became the master in an epic final on Sunday night – a flourish that left even tennis icon Martina Navratilova in awe.

The match was destined to be a thriller, with the rain causing delay after delay. Finally, 6 hours later, the players stepped onto the court. In the beginning, Djokovic seemed to be visibly struggling with a swollen right eye, stopping to apply eyedrops and consult his team. Mensik took this as an opportunity, racing to a 3-0 lead. However, the ‘Serbinator’ clawed back and took the first set to a tiebreak. However, Mensik soon stormed to a 5-0 lead and sealed the set with an overhead smash. The second set also had them go toe-to-toe with each other, where Djokovic fought tooth and nail to fend off two breakpoints in the 5th game. Just like that, the second set also went to a tie-break. A grueling 21-shot rally in the decisive tiebreak left the 37-year-old collapsing from exhaustion. Finally, the Czech tennis sensation pulled off a historic victory as he served it out wide.

Despite losing out on a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title and his 100th career title, Novak Djokovic showed nothing but respect and admiration for his 19-year-old opponent. He said, “I don’t wanna talk too much. This is Jakub’s moment… & a moment for his team and family. Congratulations. Unbelievable tournament. First of many. It hurts me to admit it but you were better. In the clutch moments you delivered the goods. Unbelievable serving. Just a Phenomenal effort mentally to stay in the difficult moments. For a young player like yourself this is a great feature. Something you’ll use many times in the years to follow. I wish you the best of luck. Maybe you’ll let me win one of the next times we play.”

This profound moment caught the eye of 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, who captioned it perfectly. She took to X and wrote, “World class comments from Novak to Menšík after losing to him- from the biggest champion to the new champion.”

The 19-year-old also had nothing but praise for his tennis idol. He said, “I was watching him growing up. Because of him I started to play tennis. So it just feels incredible that I had the opportunity for a second time to play against him. And to beat him in this tournament in the finals, which was just a dream to win an ATP tournament, and even better that it’s a Masters 1000. Playing against Novak in the finals makes it more special.”

This match has truly been a passing-the-torch moment for tennis. And to think it almost wouldn’t have happened! Why, you wonder?

Jakub Mensik reveals how he almost withdrew from the Miami Open

Jakub Mensik almost didn’t play in the Miami Open. Just an hour before his first match, the 19-year-old was ready to withdraw due to a nagging right knee issue. He had the withdrawal slip in hand. But fate—or rather, the tournament referee’s lunch break—had other plans.

Since the official was busy grabbing a bite, the Czech mulled over the situation and decided to stay in the draw. He got extra treatment from ATP physio Alejandro and never ended up submitting that slip. Two weeks later, he stood on the court, holding the champion’s trophy. “He did a miracle,” Mensik said, pointing to Alejandro in the crowd. “Because of him I step on the court, and because of him I’m standing here.”

Instead of making way for a lucky loser, Mensik needled his way through a veteran draw. He started by beating Roberto Bautista Agut, then took down Jack Draper and Roman Safiullin. A walkover against Tomas Machac gave him a break, but he quickly got back to work, toppling Arthur Fils and Taylor Fritz. In the final, he got to the ultimate boss, Novak Djokovic and neatly packaged the Serb off too.

Now, the young Czech has jumped 30 spots to a career-high No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Not bad for someone who almost didn’t play, no? What do you think is next for the Miami Open champion? Let us know below!