Jakub Mensik won the first ATP title of his career with a 7-6 double win over Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open final on Sunday (30). But the young Czech revealed that he almost gave up the tournament due to an inflammation in the right knee.
Just before his debut against Roberto Bautista Agut, the 19 -year -old tennis player was on his way to the referee’s room to announce his withdrawal, but found that the officer was having lunch and instead went to the physiotherapist room.
“It was just a great inflammation. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run,” Mensik told reporters.
“I started treating, I started taking painkillers. Nothing was helping. On the day of the game it was the same … I tried to climb the treadmill. I couldn’t move. I thought, ‘ok, well, that’s it. I’ll give up.’
“I was going to the referee’s office to say ‘guys, I’ll give up’, but he was having lunch. So, ok, let’s visit the physiotherapist first.”
Mensik said the physiotherapist worked at his knee and considered it was not a serious problem.
“I thought, ‘ok, let’s try again. I climbed the treadmill and it was the same. But I overcome the pain. I was suffering at these times,” Mensik added.
“After a few minutes I started to feel a little relief. I took different painkillers, which helped a little. I thought ‘ok, let’s try. There’s 30 minutes to the game. I can run. I will see’.
“Somehow, I won the first round and basically after I had a day off, which, of course, for my knee was much better. Day after day the knee was improving and with that my game too.”
Mensik hoped his title in Miami was the first of many.
“I’m still 19, so I have all my career ahead,” he added. “It’s great to have this (trophy) by my side, but it’s not just a title, a tournament …
“I’m hungry too much.”
