19-Year-Old Jakub Mensik Beats Novak Djokovic to Win 2025 Miami Open Masters Bracket
Taylyn Hadley
Mar 30, 2025
Novak Djokovic fell in the final round of the Miami Open to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6, on Sunday.
Mensik, playing in his first final, earned his spot after defeating No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz in the semifinals and became the second-youngest champion in tournament history, per ATP Tour.
The teenager out of the Czech Republic put on a serving clinic, recording 14 aces with a 73 percent success rate on his first serves, while Djokovic finished with seven aces and converted his only breakpoint opportunity.
Getting off to 3-0 lead in the first set and a 5/0 lead in the second, showing his composure against the veteran. Djokovic attempted a comeback, closing the gap to 6-4. However, Mensik sealed the opener with an overhead smash and turned to his box with a triumphant roar.
The match on Sunday was delayed by almost six hours by the Florida rain, but Mensik, who was born in 2005 while Djokovic was already in the Top 100 ATP rankings, did not let that deter him on his path to victory.
With the loss, 37-year-old Djokovic still remains one win away from his 100th career title and an extension of his record 41 ATP Masters crowns.
The next ATP 1000 Masters event is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, set to begin on April 6 and conclude on April 13.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 in 71 minutes to advance to the Miami Open final and take a step closer to becoming the third-ever men's tennis player (Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer) to win 100 tour-level titles, a feat he can accomplish in Sunday's final.
Despite a sluggish start to the calendar year, which featured his longest losing streak since 2018, Djokovic has turned things around in Miami.
The Serbian enters Sunday’s final after earning a trio of consecutive straight-set victories over top 25 opponents Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Korda, and Grigor Dimitrov.
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On Sunday, Djokovic will face Jakub Mensik, who defeated Taylor Fritz, 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4), to reach his first career ATP Masters 1000 final.
The 19-year-old is the third-youngest men's player to reach the Miami Open final and the first Czech men's player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since 2015.
En route to his maiden ATP Masters final, Mensik has earned remarkable wins over 2025 Indian Wells champion Jack Draper, Arthur Fils, and home favorite Taylor Fritz.
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Djokovic and Mensik have only met once in their careers in the 2024 Shanghai Masters quarterfinals, where the 24-time Grand Slam champion narrowly prevailed in a three-set thriller.
Like their previous matchup, Djokovic will enter as the favorite.
However, Mensik has the ability to win this match with his exceptional fitness, all-around firepower, and brimming confidence.
The two will face off Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET, with the broadcast on Tennis Channel.
In the women's draw, three-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2, to reach her first Miami Open final.
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In the other women's semifinal match, Jessica Pegula ended Alexandra Eala's Cinderella run with a hard-fought 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 victory.
In a rematch of the 2024 U.S. Open final, Sabalenka and Pegula will meet on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET with the broadcast on Tennis Channel.
No. 2 Iga Swiatek Upset by 19-Year-Old Wild Card Entry Alexandra Eala at Miami Open
Andrew Peters
Mar 26, 2025
World No. 2 Iga Świątek fell in upset fashion in the quarterfinals at the Miami Open on Wednesday.
Świątek, who won the event in 2022, lost to 19-year-old Alexandra Eala, who received a wild-card entry to the Miami Open. Eala, from the Philippines, is the world No. 140.
Eala, who defeated Świątek 6-2, 7-5 on Wednesday, advanced to her first WTA 1000 semifinal with the win. The win marks her third in a row over a grand slam winner after she defeated Madison Keys and Paula Badosa in the fourth round. Eala also took down Katie Volynets and Jeļena Ostapenko in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Eala's last four opponents have all been ranked inside the world top-25, with Ostapenko being 25th, Keys being fifth, Badosa being 10th and Świątek being second in the world.
Alex Eala against the top *100*:
March 2022 - 18 March 2025: 3-15 (d. #73, #41, #100) 19 March 2025 - 26 March 2025: 4-0 (d. #2 Swiatek, #5 Keys, #25 Ostapenko, #73 Volynets).
According to Colin Salao of Front Office Sports, Eala is now guaranteed at least $332,160 in prize money after previously earning just under $500,000 on the WTA Tour.
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Eala already made history before Wednesday's match. Her win over Keys earlier this week made her the first Filipino player to earn a top-10 win. She made more history with the win over Świątek as she's now the first player from the Philippines to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.
“I don’t know what to say,” Eala said in her on-court interview. “I’m in complete disbelief right now. I’m on cloud nine. Thank you everyone who came to watch and thanks to everyone who is watching back home."
Eala has already made the most of her wild-card entry into the Miami Open, but she can continue her historic run when she takes on either Jessica Pegula or Emma Raducanu in the semifinals.
Report: Iga Swiatek Gets Extra Security After 'Aggressive' Fan Behavior at Miami Open
Julia Stumbaugh
Mar 26, 2025
Iga Świątek will reportedly receive additional security at the 2025 Miami Open after an incident involving an "aggressive" fan.
According to BBC's Jonathan Jurejko, the fan "shouted personal insults about Świątek's family" during a Saturday practice session.
Świątek's spokesperson told Jurejko the fan had previously contacted the Polish tennis star on social media.
"The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world. He was aggressive and taunting," Świątek's representative told Jurejko.
Świątek's team told Jurejko they "monitor the network to catch these types of issues."
"Constructive criticism is one thing, and threats, hate speech or even disturbance during training is another—this cannot be condoned," Świątek's spokesperson told Jurejko.
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The Miami Open told Jurejko: "We constantly evaluate any potential threats and take every measure to respond appropriately."
The WTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters.
Świątek recently revealed she struggled mentally amid the one-month suspension she served after failing an out-of-competition drug test in August. In a March 17 Instagram post, she wrote that she "didn't want to step on the court" six months ago.
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The incident comes after British tennis star Emma Raducanu was shaken by seeing a man who the WTA later said "exhibited fixated behavior" in the stands of her match at the Dubai Championships in February. The man was subsequently banned from WTA events.
Raducanu, who has previously dealt with stalkers, told BBC Sport's Russell Fuller the incident "could have been dealt with better" but that afterward she "definitely got increased attention and greater security."
WTA chief executive Portia Archer meanwhile said the incident in Dubai wasn't a "security failure" but was instead the result of a "very unfortunate series of events."
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Świątek is seeking her second Miami Open title after winning the event in 2022. After defeating Elina Svitolina in straight sets on Monday, she is preparing to face Alexandra Eala on Wednesday in the Miami Open quarterfinals.
Eala, a 19-year-old teenager representing the Philippines, toppled No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko and No. 5 Madison Keys to challenge Świątek for a trip to the semifinal.
Roger Federer's Racket From 2011 French Open Final vs. Rafael Nadal Up for Auction
Julia Stumbaugh
Mar 25, 2025
The racket Roger Federer used when battling Rafael Nadal at the 2011 French Open is up for action.
Goldin Auctions is offering the racket at auction through Saturday. Bidding was up to $18,000 as of Saturday afternoon.
This 2011 French Open Men's Singles Final Match - Roger Federer Match-Used, Photo-Matched, Signed Wilson Six One Tour Racket - Match vs. Rafael Nadal - Resolution Photomatching, JSA LOA is available now in… pic.twitter.com/MA9KSHNuhA
The Wilson Six One Tour racket features Federer's signature on the handle.
Goldin states the racket is photo-matched from the 2011 French Open Finals.
To get to the finals, Federer ended Novak Djokovic's perfect season and 43-match win streak in the semifinal.
He then took on Nadal, who claimed a 7–5, 7–6, 5–7, 6–1 victory over Federer for the French Open title.
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A Federer racket used during the 2011 Roland Garros final previously sold for just over $55,000 at auction in a 2020 sale by Goldin.
The sale comes just over one month after Prestige Memorabilia sold the racket Federer used to win Wimbledon in 2004 for just over $118,000.
Signed for Anna Wintour and her daughter, that racket was the only one to hit auction after being photomatched to a Federer Grand Slam victory, according to Prestige Auctions.
Nick Kyrgios Among Players to File Lawsuit vs. ATP, WTA: Exec Says 'Tennis Is Broken'
Joseph Zucker
Mar 18, 2025
Nick Kyrgios is among the plaintiffs in multiple lawsuits targeting the general structure of professional tennis.
ESPN's D'Arcy Maine reported Tuesday that litigation was filed in courts for the United Kingdom, European Union and United States, which allege "anti-competitive business practices, monopolizing of professional tennis and systemic abuse."
The ATP Tour, WTA, International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency are all defendants in the lawsuits.
The ATP and WTA have each issued statements following the report.
"We strongly reject the premise of the [Professional Tennis Players Association's] claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position," the ATP's statement read in part. "ATP remains committed to working in the best interests of the game—towards continued growth, financial stability, and the best possible future for our players, tournaments, and fans."
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The ATP also asserted the PTPA "has consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress."
The WTA said in its statement the lawsuits are "regrettable and misguided."
“The WTA is fully committed to continuing to develop and evolve the structure and operations of professional women's tennis, listening closely as always to the views of our players," the organization said. "Contesting this baseless legal case will divert time, attention and resources from our core mission to the detriment of our players and the sport as a whole."
Kyrgios is one of 22 players named as plaintiffs in the suits in addition to the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
"Tennis is broken," PTPA executive director Ahmad Nassar said, per Maine. "Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety."
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Vasek Pospisil, a co-founder for the organization, told Maine a legal battle became the clearest path for the PTPA to achieve its long-term aims.
"We didn't set out to create a player association to not effect major change," he said. "That's always been the goal from the beginning, and we have to really consider all strategies and avenues to eventually accomplish that goal."
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Compensation, through both prize earnings and player likeness deals, is a bone of contention. The plaintiffs are also concerned with "privacy rights violations" and their general health as they navigate the usual ATP or WTA calendar.
Players at the top of the sport earn significant sums over the course of the season. Eight players in the ATP and six from the WTA have already cracked seven figures in 2025.
For the vast majority of players, however, pursuing a tennis career can be a precarious existence. In January 2023, Maine pointed to ATP pro Kiranpal Pannu, who collected $6,771 in prize money across the 2022 season and had personal expenses totaling $34,500.
The ATP rolled out its "Baseline" program in 2023 to alleviate some of those burdens, but guaranteeing minimum salaries for the top 250 players only covers a fraction of full-time pros.
Taking the ATP and WTA to court could prove effective in creating a more equitable sport.
LeBron James Congratulates Mirra Andreeva in IG Photo After Indian Wells Win
Taylyn Hadley
Mar 17, 2025
LeBron James congratulated tennis star Mirra Andreeva on Instagram following her Indian Wells win Sunday.
"Congratulations," James wrote on Monday. "YOU did THAT!! All your hard work, drive, and dedication toward your craft. KEEP GOING! #striveforgreatness."
LeBron James congratulates Mirra Andreeva on winning Indian Wells.
The 17-year-old defeated 26-year-old Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in California, becoming the third-youngest female champion in tournament history behind Martina Hingis and Serena Williams.
Andreeva secured back-to-back titles after winning in Dubai two weeks ago, making her the youngest woman since 1997 to win consecutive WTA 1000 events.
Prior to her Indian Wells victory, Andreeva mentioned listening to an old James interview that resonated with her, per TMZ.
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"He was saying that even if you don't play 100% or even if you don't feel 100% physically, I'm gonna choose 100% mentally," Andreeva said. "He said that's what makes us champions, so I tried to do the same."
Andreeva, ranked No. 11, will compete in the Miami Open on Friday against a yet-to-be-determined opponent as she looks to add another win.
Iga Swiatek Opens Up on Criticism, More in IG Post: 'Sport Is Not Played By Robots'
Timothy Rapp
Mar 17, 2025
Tennis star Iga Świątek opened up about the recent "talk about changes in my on-court behavior and emotions" during an Instagram post on Monday, addressing the impact of last year's one-month doping ban and some of her struggles in tournaments since reaching the semifinals in the Australian Open.
"Firstly, working on oneself isn't something you achieve once and keep forever," she posted. "Sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back. I'm facing new elements of this puzzle all the time: Circumstances change, my experiences evolve, I evolve, opponents evolve, opponents evolve, and I must constantly adapt. It's never easy, and it's particularly challenging for me right now. Sport is not played by robots. I've had three incredible seasons, but nothing comes effortlessly, and there's no guarantee results will always be easy or under control. That's life, and that's sport. Sometimes even I forget that."
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She also said she was feeling worn down by "constant judgment."
"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labeled as inhuman," she wrote. "Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labeled immature or hysterical. That's not a healthy standard—especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court. Today, after everything I've been through, I'm still processing and coming to terms with those experiences."
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The post comes after Świątek slammed a ball on the ground in the direction of the ball boy during Saturday's loss to Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells. In Monday's post, she noted she wasn't proud of the moment but said she never meant to hit the ball in his direction, instead intending to simply slam it off the ground in frustration.
Swiatek very nearly hit the ball boy here and was very close to being defaulted. I'm not surprised she was booed by much of the fans at Indian Wells. 👀pic.twitter.com/7K4jfgVN14
In September, the International Tennis Integrity Agency issued Świątek a one-month ban for an unintentional ingestion of trimetazidine, a banned substance. The organization accepted Świątek's explanation that she had taken a contaminated dosage of melatonin.
Her frustrations have mounted this season. She smashed her racket after losing to Jelena Ostapenko at the Qatar Open and a week later was seen ignoring her coach Wim Fissette's attempts to shake her hand following a loss to Andreeva at the Dubai Open.
