Novak Djokovic is currently in unfamiliar territory after losing in the Miami Open final for just the second time.
Djokovic was beaten by Jakub Mensik in straight sets, after reaching his first ATP final of the season.
While the match itself was fairly straightforward, Mensik noticed something about Djokovic during the second set.
Having won a joint record of six titles at the Miami Open, Djokovic is certainly not used to losing finals at the Floridian Masters 1000 tournament.
Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhat happened to Novak Djokovic after losing the 2009 Miami Open final
The 2025 tournament was Djokovic’s first appearance at the Miami Open in six years, and his first final since winning the title in 2016.
With Djokovic now being coached by Andy Murray, it brings it back full circle to his only other final defeat in Miami.
That came in 2009, when Djokovic only had one major title, with Murray beating his future coach in straight sets to win his first of what would become two Miami Open titles.
YearMiami Open Final Result2007Djokovic beat Guillermo Canas, 6-3 6-2 6-42009Andy Murray beat Djokovic, 6-2 7-52011Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal, 4-6 6-3 7-6(4)2012Djokovic beat Andy Murray, 6-1 7-6(4)2014Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal, 6-3 6-32015Djokovic beat Andy Murray 7-6(3) 4-6 6-02016Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori, 6-3 6-32025Jakub Mensik beat Djokovic, 7-6(4) 7-6(4)
Djokovic would swiftly turn his attention to the clay court season, reaching the finals of both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open before losing to the ‘king of clay’ Rafael Nadal.
The Serbian would collect a title at his home tournament in Belgrade, and would head into Roland Garros as the fourth seed.
Despite finding some form before the second major of 2009, Djokovic would suffer a far from satisfactory result after losing in the third round to 29th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Photo credit should read JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP via Getty Images
After losing that match in straight sets, Djokovic told press that he needed to change both his game style and mindset going into future tournaments.
“I haven’t played in the last three Slams the way I wanted,” Djokovic said at the time. “I will try to change some things for Wimbledon this year.
“I cannot allow myself to have such a bad performance as I had today. I cannot allow myself to be that defensive. This is not me. This is not my game. To be honest, I think it was just my head and me today. I don’t want to blame anything else.”
Djokovic would win three more ATP titles later that year including the Paris Masters, but was unable to win his second Grand Slam title until 2011.
What is next for Novak Djokovic?
Following the most recent Miami Open final, Djokovic was full of praise for Mensik, as he looks to quickly move on from being unable to win a historic 100th ATP title.
Last year was not Djokovic’s best clay court season, having been unable to reach a single final in the four events he played.
Perhaps the most disappointing defeat came at the Italian Open, where Djokovic lost to Alejandro Tabilo in the third round.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion then made a surprise appearance in Geneva, before Djokovic suffered a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from his Roland Garros quarter-final and undergo surgery.
Novak Djokovic’s Upcoming TournamentsPoints Defending from 2024Monte Carlo Masters400 (Semi-finals)Madrid Open0 (Did not play)Italian Open50 (R32) + Geneva Open (100 – Semi-final)Roland Garros400 (Quarter-final)
Djokovic will be hoping that his clay court season goes better in 2025, and that he can recover from Miami Open disappointment to continue his bid for history.