Only one player stands between Novak Djokovic and his milestone 100th ATP title at the Miami Open. That’s 19-year-old Jakub Mensik! And he has already proven that he can take down top-ranked opponents. The Czech teenager knocked out BNP Paribas Open champion Jack Draper in the second round. He also took down No. 17 seed Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals with ease and stunned No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. With this run, Mensik is now the third youngest Miami Open finalist ever. Only Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz were younger when they reached the final at 18 years and nine months. Now, Mensik is looking to make history against arguably best player in the world. So who is the guiding force behind his success?
Tomas Josefus has been coaching Mensik since he was nearly 14 years old. Before that, he was part of a trio of coaches guiding the young Czech in Prostejov. Over the years, Josefus has been impressed by how quickly Mensik learns.“I think his motor learning is very fast. So if I compare it with other players, especially in this age, Jakub is learning very fast. He is a very intelligent guy,” Josefus told ATP tour. “These days we are working a lot with data and numbers so of course, it’s a long pathway. But definitely when I saw him for the first time, he was learning fast, new movements, new skills.”
Though there is not much else known about his coach, he has opened up about what has shaped his game. Mensik has also gained invaluable experience training with his next opponent, Novak Djokovic. The young Czech has spent two separate training weeks with the 24-time Grand Slam champion. According to Josefus, Mensik’s best shot is his counter-attacking backhand from an open stance—just like Djokovic’s. “Imagine if you are only 16 and you got the chance to spend—and for me also as his coach—some time directly with Novak and with the whole team. It’s a big, big challenge and a big, big privilege for us,” Josefus said. “It opened our eyes in many ways. And he helped him a lot because if he’s on court with anybody else, he knows that Nole is the better or bigger guy. So he has no problem with that.”
Djokovic has not only given Mensik advice but also helped connect him with valuable resources. Through Djokovic, Mensik started working with physiotherapist Sasa Jezdic, who was once part of the Serb’s team. The Czech has also partnered with Gotta Tennis, a performance analysis company that has worked with Djokovic.“He did not hesitate to share his knowledge and contacts. We had closed doors in front of us, Novak opened them,” Josefus said. “He recommended them to us and gave us their number. Many things we put in place were thanks to him,” Mensik confirmed.
Mensik has never hidden his admiration for Djokovic. He has often called the Serbian his “tennis inspiration.” What’s surprising is that the duo have actually faced each other before!
Jakub Mensik believes he’s “better” prepared to face Novak Djokovic
“Because of him, I started to play tennis. When I was young and starting to play tennis, he was already on the top. So I was like, ‘Wow, he’s really good, ” Jakub Mensik said in an interview in 2024.
The 19-year-old has already faced Djokovic once before at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. He managed to take the opening set but was outplayed in the next two. This time, he feels ready to put up a stronger fight. “It feels incredible. For me it was a dream to play against him in Shanghai,” Mensik told the ATP website. “For now it’s a bit different. I am a better player now and I’m going to enjoy and it’s going to be really exciting. Let’s see what’s going to happen Sunday.”
A historic clash awaits at the Miami Open final. Djokovic is chasing his 100th title and 41st Masters 1000 title while Mensik is fighting for his first Masters 1000 trophy.
And when they step on court, they will make ATP history. Their age gap of 18 years and 102 days will be the largest ever in a Masters 1000 final, surpassing the 16-year, 35-day difference between Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal in 2005. Will Djokovic add another record to his collection, or will Mensik pull off the upset of a lifetime? Who do you think will win?
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