Novak Djokovic Advances to Miami Open Final with Lionel Messi in Attendance
Djokovic's Path to the Final
Novak Djokovic enjoyed a significant boost during his Miami Open journey, as he secured a spot in the final with a commanding victory over 14th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, winning 6-2, 6-3 at Hard Rock Stadium. The presence of soccer superstar Lionel Messi, who was there to support, added to the excitement of the match.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic is now set to compete for his seventh Miami Open title against the unseeded 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, who triumphed in a thrilling semifinal against No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz, winning 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
At 37 years old, Djokovic aims to achieve his 100th professional title, having previously won six times at the tournament's former venue in Key Biscayne. However, this year has seen him struggle with form, including an injury retirement at the Australian Open and an early exit at Indian Wells.
A Special Moment with Messi
During his on-court interview, Djokovic expressed his excitement about Messi's presence, referring to him as 'King Leo.' He shared that Messi visited the locker room with his family, where they exchanged gifts. Although Djokovic has previously watched Messi play live, this was the first occasion the soccer legend attended one of his matches.
Djokovic remarked, 'Having his whole family here is a thrill. It’s a huge honor. He’s not just a remarkable football player; his influence on sports over the last two decades has been tremendous.' He added that Messi's attendance brought him joy and a bit of pressure, especially with his family present.
Match Highlights and Challenges
The match faced a brief interruption when a fan was removed by security after causing a disturbance. Dimitrov had confronted the heckler, stating, 'It’s just heckling, it’s fine. I’m generally calm, but don’t provoke me.'
Dimitrov, who had previously defeated Francisco Cerundulo in the quarterfinals, experienced dizziness post-match and required assistance from medical personnel, leading to the cancellation of his press conference. He mentioned, 'I don’t fully recall what happened. We push our bodies to the limit, and sometimes it’s overwhelming.'
Despite being broken in the first game, Djokovic quickly regained his composure, finishing the first set in just 32 minutes. He showcased an impressive performance, landing 87% of his first serves and committing only five unforced errors throughout the 70-minute match.
Mensik's Remarkable Journey
Djokovic's career record against Dimitrov improved to 13-1, with Dimitrov praising Djokovic's confidence, stating, 'He wears confidence like a stain on your shirt. It’s a beautiful sight.' Mensik, who entered the Miami Open ranked 54th, is making his debut in an ATP 1,000-point final.
In a tense semifinal, Mensik displayed remarkable composure against Fritz, winning the final three points in the deciding tiebreaker. He did not face a service break during the match and ended it with a stunning backhand winner.
Before the match, Mensik had a brief interaction with Messi, humorously noting, 'I didn’t wash my hands before stepping on the court.' He credits Djokovic as his inspiration for taking up tennis and looks forward to their upcoming match, stating, 'It feels incredible to play against him. I’m a better player now than I was in Shanghai.'