With Lionel Messi watching, Novak
Djokovic advances to Miami Open final to face upstart Jakub Mensik
[March 29, 2025]
By MARC BERMAN
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Novak Djokovic had some company for
another Miami Open victory.
With Lionel Messi watching, Djokovic cruised into the Miami Open
final by routing 14th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 on Friday at
Hard Rock Stadium.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic will try for a seventh Miami Open title
on Sunday against unseeded 19-year-old upstart Jakub Mensik, who won
a thriller decided by a third-set tiebreaker over No. 3 seed Taylor
Fritz in Friday's other semifinal, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
The 37-year-old Djokovic, who won six times at the tournament’s
previous venue at Key Biscayne, also is going for his 100th
professional title.
He has been out of form this year, starting with an injury
retirement at the Australian Open in January. Earlier this month, he
lost his first match at Indian Wells to Botic van de Zandschulp.
In his on-court interview, Djokovic acknowledged the presence of
Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, calling him
“King Leo."
Djokovic said Messi visited the locker room with his wife and
children and they “exchanged gifts." Djokovic has seen Messi play
live before but this was the first time the soccer great watched
him.
“Obviously, it’s a thrill to have his whole family,’’ Djokovic said.
“It’s a huge honor. He’s such a great athlete, not just a football
player. His impact on the world of sports in the last 20 years has
been immense.
“To have him watch me live brings me great joy and excitement and
also a little pressure. It’s definitely different when he brings his
family. I was touched by that."
The match was disrupted during the third game when a fan was removed
by security. The chair umpire came down to the court and called for
security as he walked toward the stands.
Dimitrov had jawed with the fan and came over to the sideline to
point out the heckler to the umpire.
“It’s just heckling, it’s fine,’’ Dimitrov said. “I’m a very calm
guy overall. I don’t pick any fights but don’t trigger me.’’
Dimitrov eliminated Francisco Cerundulo in the quarters. He stayed
on the court for 25 minutes after the victory, sitting in a
wheelchair because of dizziness. He was helped off by tournament
medical personnel and canceled his post-match news conference.
Dimitrov said he was given lots of water and ice but added “I don’t
have a recollection of exactly what happened. We’re putting our
bodies through so much. It’s one of those matches where you have to
carry me out of the court somehow.’’

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Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, plays a shot in his semifinal match
against Grigor Dimitrov, of Bulgaria, at the Miami Open tennis
tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP
Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Djokovic was broken by Dimitrov in the first game,
but he quickly settled down and closed out the first set in 32
minutes.
The men’s leader with 24 Grand Slam titles made 87% of his first
serves, missing just six all match on a breezy day. He also
committed only five unforced errors in the 70-minute match.
“Now I know how it feels to be (John) Isner and (Reilly) Opelka,’’
Djokovic said of two serving behemoths. “Maybe my serve has been a
bit underrated."
The Serbian improved to 13-1 against Dimitrov in his career. The
Bulgarian pulled out the ultimate superlative.

“He wears confidence like a stain on your shirt,’’ Dimitrov said.
“It’s beautiful to see. Only a few athletes on Earth possess that
quality.’’
Mensik hasn’t been to an ATP 1,000-point final and came in to the
Miami Open ranked 54th.
He showed nerves of steel against Fritz at 4-4 in the deciding
tiebreaker, winning the last three points.
Mensik, who didn’t post a service break all match, blasted a
backhand winner down the line for 5-4. Fritz hit a forehand long off
a 20-shot rally and punched a forehand in the net on double match
point to end the two hour and 25-minute nightcard.
Mensik shook hands with Messi before the match. “I didn’t wash my
hands before I stepped on the court," Mensik said.
Mensik credits Djokovic as the reason he picked up tennis. He lost
to Djokovic in Shanghai Masters in a three-setter last October.
Djokovic will have 18 years on his opponent.
“It feels incredible, unbelievable (to play him),’’ Mensik said. “It
was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. I’m a better player now
than I was in Shanghai.’’
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