Novak Djokovic: 'Never really happy to lose', but … | ATP Tour

Match response

Djokovic: 'Never really happy to lose', but …

Six times Miami champion reflects on final against Mensik

March 31, 2025

Novak Djokovic suffered a stabbing loss in the Miami Open on Sunday evening presented by Itau Final to Jakub Mensik. It was a great opportunity for the Serbian to claim the 100th title at the tour level of his career and to take on the seventh trophy in Miami against a 19-year-old who plays for his first ATP tour title.

Djokovic went in the game and had only lost four times to teen opponents. But despite the disappointment, the 37-year-old was graceful in the defeat and the spotlight seemed on Mensik.

“Congratulations to Mensik and his team. Never really happy to lose, but he is one of the few players that I would be happier, to be honest,” said Djokovic. “I saw him play when he was 15 or 16 and invited him, we had a number of training blocks together. He trained in my club in Belgrade and to see his development and evolution is really great, great.”

View extensive final highlights:

Djokovic saw Mensik losing a three-set thriller in the 2022 Australian Open Boys' singles Final to Bruno Kuzuhara. The Serbian was impressed by the fighting spirit of the teenager and a big competition, and because of his management they made contact with Mensik's team to arrange the Czech to train with him.

“I could already see – three, four years ago – that he will be one of the top players in the world,” said Djokovic. “I am super happy that he uses the potential he has, because he has the complete game. Of course, his serial, powerful, accurate, wins many free points with the first serve.

“Backhand, too. Czech school, they always have a great backhand. But Forehand, he has improved a lot. And movement for such a long, big guy, he slides and moves well. He can still improve. So I am sure we'll see him around.”

According to Djokovic, Mensik's current physio worked with him, so it is appropriate that they spent time together during the early years of Czech during the ATP tour. Mensik also repeatedly shared that Djokovic was his idol and still is.

This was their second Lexus ATP Head2head meeting, which clashed in last year's Shanghai quart finals. Djokovic also lost a first-set tie-break in that game, but was able to gather. On this occasion, Mensik was able to finish the job.

“I think he served even better than he served in Shanghai, and there he served very well,” said Djokovic. “I think the game was similar, but my level was not like it was in Shanghai.”

It was a difficult day in Miami, with rain that postponed the planned starting time of the game with almost six hours. It was also clear that Djokovic was struggling with an issue under his right eye, consistently rubbed and eye drops entered during switches. The 99-way Titlist on tour level did not go into details about the ailment and said he didn't want to apologize.

“It is what it is. It is the same for both players. You have to accept the circumstances,” said Djokovic. “I tried to get the most out of what I had or what I stood for, but yes, it was very different from every other day of the tournament for me.”

The good news for Djokovic is that he is back on track after the start of the tournament with a 7-4 record for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss index. Although early in the season, the Serbian is in fourth place in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin. He did not lose a set to the final.

“In general, it is now clearly bitter taste because of the loss. But Miami, as I said on the field, really brought me a lot of joy and really good sensations on and next to the field,” said Djokovic. “I was very well welcomed by people and supported. Again incredible tonight, great support from the stadium in the competition. They pushed me on and tried to give me strength for a comeback. Very grateful. I just enjoyed my experience. [an] Great run.

“Unfortunately, ended with a loss in the final, but until today I played some really good tennis.”