Novak Djokovic faced a surprising defeat in the Miami Open final against unseeded Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, and he opted not to discuss the apparent eye infection that might have influenced his performance or the nearly six-hour delay before the match started. Despite exhibiting signs of discomfort—including noticeable swelling around his right eye believed to be caused by a stye—Djokovic chose to focus on congratulating his opponent rather than attributing his loss to any personal issues.
The final, originally scheduled for 3 PM local time, was significantly delayed due to rain, with the match commencing at 8:45 PM after the completion of the women’s doubles final. This extended waiting period contributed to what Djokovic described as a “weird” day. He admitted to struggling on the court, particularly as he dropped his first service game and had to pause during the first set to use eye drops, indicating that he was indeed affected by the infection.
Acknowledging the uniqueness of the day, Djokovic reflected on the challenges he faced. He stated, “It’s unfortunate for me. Two tiebreaks, just very weird match, weird day with rain delay and all the things that were happening. Honestly, I didn’t feel my greatest on the court, but it is what it is.” Nevertheless, he was adamant about not taking away from Mensik’s victory, emphasizing the importance of recognizing his opponent’s achievement without making excuses for his own performance.
When specifically questioned about his eye problem, Djokovic expressed his discomfort with discussing it, reiterating his desire to avoid appearing as if he were blaming external factors for the loss. “I really prefer not to talk about — there are 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,” he said.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, missed out on claiming his 100th career title in this match, marking a significant moment in his storied career.
Despite his disappointment at losing, Novak Djokovic expressed happiness over the progress of his opponent, Mensik. “I’m never really happy to lose, but he’s one of the few players that I would be happier to lose to,” Djokovic acknowledged. Having observed Mensik’s talent since he was 15 or 16 and even training together at Djokovic’s club in Belgrade, he lauded Mensik’s development. “Seeing his evolution is really amazing,” Djokovic remarked, noting that he had already perceived Mensik’s future potential as a top player three to four years ago.
Djokovic praised Mensik’s complete game, highlighting his “incredible, powerful, precise” serve that secures numerous free points. He also commended Mensik’s backhand, attributing its quality to the Czech school of tennis, and acknowledged the significant improvement in his forehand. Furthermore, he appreciated Mensik’s movement on the court, particularly for someone of his height, noting, “He slides and moves well.”
While Djokovic expressed that Mensik still had room for improvement, he was optimistic about his future in the sport, stating, “I’m sure we’ll be seeing him around.” Throughout the tournament, Djokovic had been in formidable form, not dropping a set, and despite the final loss, he reflected positively on his experience in South Florida.
“Overall, it leaves a bitter taste because of the loss,” he commented, but added that the Miami experience brought him joy and positive sensations both on and off the court. He felt welcomed by the local community and appreciated the incredible support he received from the crowd during his matches. “Great support from the stadium in the match. They were pushing me on and trying to give me strength for a comeback,” he shared, emphasizing how grateful he was for the encouraging atmosphere. This support, combined with his performance throughout the tournament, left Djokovic with positive feelings despite the final outcome.
