During a quiet period in the relentless calendar three years ago, the 16-year-old Jakub Mensik received an unexpected proposal. The Czech, who had just reached the boys’ singles final at the Australian Open, was invited by Novak Djokovic, his idol, to train together at the Serb’s academy in Belgrade. The pair quickly established a rapport, with Djokovic offering advice and counsel. For Mensik, this was a pivotal moment.
On Sunday, at the Miami Open, the pair stood across the net from each other again, this time as rivals, and he closed out a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) victory to win his first ATP title in one of the top tournaments.
