Each one of us encounters a life-changing moment which transforms our future. The new Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik had such an unlikely fortune.
A lunch break made a huge difference in the 19-year-old’s life.
The teen sensation stunned Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s Miami Open 2025 men’s singles final, winning his maiden title of his career. En route to his title glory, he staged several upsets, slaying big giants in the sport.
The Czech player was not supposed to feature in the tournament. He had almost withdrawn from the Miami Open 2025 tournament due to a minor injury.
The Turning Point For Jakub Mensik
After the win, Mensik revealed he almost pulled out of the tournament before his first match against Roberto Bautista Agut due to an inflammation in his right knee.
However, when Mensik went to tell the tournament referee about his withdrawal, the official was out on a lunch break. He, therefore, went to a physio instead.
The physio examined the injury differently and suggested it was not serious.
“It was a big inflammation. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run,” Mensik told Tennis Channel. “I started to treat it, started to take painkillers. Nothing was helping. During matchday it was the same … I tried to step on the treadmill. I couldn’t move.
“I was visiting the referee’s office to say: ‘Guys, I’m pulling out,’ but he was having lunch. So okay, let’s visit the physio first. I said: ‘Hey, my knee is hurting. Just fill the paper. I’m going.’”
Mensik added: “I stepped on the treadmill and it was the same. But I went over the pain. I was suffering in those moments.
“After a few minutes I started to feel a little relief. I took different painkillers, which helped a little bit. It’s 30 minutes before the match. I can walk. I can run. Let’s see.
“Somehow I won the first round and then I had one day off. Day by day the knee was getting better and with that also my game.”
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Mensik made headlines after he defeated Djokociv who was eyeing his 100th ATP title. He became the first men’s tennis player in 24 years to capture his maiden trophy at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
“There is no harder task in tennis than to beat him in the finals,” Mensik said.
“But of course I felt really great and it’s my time, so I just tried to focus on the match like I did before in previous rounds.
“It was probably the biggest day of my life and I did super, which I’m really glad, to show the performance and keep the nerves outside of the court before the match. I feel just super happy and I think that the feelings will come later.”
It couldn’t have been a better day for Mensik after receiving praise from his idol Djokovic, who said: “It hurts me to admit it, but you were better! In the clutch moments, you delivered the goods, unbelievable serving and just a phenomenal effort mentally as well to stay tough in a difficult moment.”
