By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 30, 2025
Although Sunday was a troublesome day for Novak Djokovic in Miami, as he fell quick in his bid for his one hundredth profession title in two tight units to Jakub Mensik, the Grand Slam king was all class on the courtroom 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 joyful to lose, however he is one of many only a few gamers that I might be happier to lose to, to be sincere,” 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 improvement 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 may 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 may see very early on that Mensik had what it takes to be a high participant.
“I may see again then already that three, 4 years in the past that he’ll be one of many high gamers of the world,” he stated. “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 numerous free factors with the primary serve.”
Mensik served lights out towards the perfect returner on this planet on Sunday in Miami, however he used extra than simply the serve to recover from the road towards Djokovic.
Djokovic stated {the teenager}’s forehand is one in every of his most improved pictures. Neither wing broke down beneath excessive stress from Djokovic because the 37-year-old tried to drive a 3rd set.
“Backhand, as effectively – Czech faculty, they at all times have an ideal backhand,” Djokovic stated. “However forehand, he is improved quite a bit. And motion for a tall, large man like that, he slides and strikes effectively.
LOVED THE FIGHTING SPIRIT
Djokovic stated he was impressed whereas watching Mensik as a junior in 2022, when the Czech had full physique cramps throughout a protracted battle with Bruno Kuzuhara within the Boys remaining that yr.
Djokovic contacted him after that match and invited him to coach with him. They’ve been in touch – and have skilled collectively periodically – ever since.
“I liked the combating spirit when he was down in that remaining I noticed in Australia, and clearly large 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 return.
“We had three coaching blocks collectively. And really, his physio who’s with him now was my physio, Serbian man. There are numerous connecting issues that we have now in frequent. In order I stated, large sport, large potential. I am positive that he is bought a shiny future.”
