Jakub Meniki hopes that his success in Miami Open will be the first of many after the Czechek teenager certainly completed the most difficult task in tennis by beating Novak Djokovic the Great in a big final.
“I’m still 19, so I have my whole career before me. I feel good about having this (trophy) next to me, but it’s not just about one title, a tour … I’m hungry for more.”
Menik did not undermine his words after him beat his childhood idol in a boredom for agesClaiming his first ATP title, after he denied the former -nr 1 in his offer for a historic moment 100.
He clearly has a taste for success.
Jakub Menist, Arthur Fils and Joao Fonsseca are part of the future Gen stars coming to the professional circuit
The menik, who defeated the World No 4 Taylor Fritz in the semi -final champion and Indian Wells Jack Draper in an early round, will grow in a better career No. 24 in the latest ATP rankings, two years after he ranked 390s in the world.
He also became the first Czech player to win an ATP Masters 1000 event since Thomas Berdych prevailed in Paris in 2005.
The menci pledged through the 24-time champion of Grand Slam with ribbons and 130 mph serves, hitting 14 aces, and was broken only after Djokovic was denied his 100th career title and a seventh record in Miami Open.
“Never really happy to lose, but he was one of the few players that I would be happier to lose, to be honest. I saw him play when he was 15 or 16 years old and invited him. We had some training blocks together. He was training at my club in Belgrade, and to see his development and evolution,” Djokovic.
“I can see him again three, four years ago that he will be one of the best players in the world. So, I am very happy that he is using the potential he has because he has a full game.
“He serves unbelievable, powerful, accurate, earns a lot of free spots with the first service. Indeed, his forehand has improved a lot and his movement for a big boy like him, he slips and moves well. And he can still be improved of course, so I’m sure we will see him around.”
Wimbledon’s former finalist Nick Kyrgios took on social media, calling him the “Special” menic, while the Prostejov locals handed over his potential with the title of maiden.
“The menik is really something special. Not only to have such calm against the greatest of all time in such a phase, but the fact that it is 19 … .. this is really a special child with a lot of potential to do special things.”
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Menikh discovered that he was almost withdrawn from Miami Open because of his knee pain
Who is Jacob, fascinating?
The talented 19-year-old, nicknamed ‘Menimal’, loves spare ribs and towers over his opponents at 6ft 4in. He is quickly following in the footsteps of the legendary Czechs Petra Kvitova and Thomas Berdych.
At 17, he became the youngest man from Born Coric in 2014 to win a match of the main drawings at US Open and did it until the third round in 2023, where Fritz ended his tour.
The menik even received an unexpected invitation to practice with Djokovic after his progress.
“I mean, playing with Novak or being part of his preparation, it was very important to me,” he reflected. “Such a good experience because it pushed me a lot. When you can spend some time with the best player in the world, maybe in history, I don’t even know what to say … I have learned a lot.”
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Look at how menik beat Andy Murray along the way to the open Qatar final last year
Menik reached his first tournament final in 2024 in Katar Open, where he defeated Andy Murray and the high seed Andrey Rublev before being lost in the final to Karen Khachanov.
He then bored Grigor Dimitrov on the way to the third round of Madrid and then made the third round of the US open for the second year running.
The talented young man captivated the sixth Casper Ruud’s seed in the second round of Australian Open but came out in the next round at Alejandro Davidovich Fog.
He then suffered a diving after his use in Melbourne. However, Miami Open has seen a Czecheke resurrection, where he showed maturity beyond his years to master a brilliant one of all time.
The menik is part of a new generation of players coming through this includes Brazilian miracle Joao Fonseca, American student Tien and Frenchman Arthur Fils.
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