Novak Djokovic hit with reality check in quest for 100th ATP title

Novak Djokovic's failed pursuit of a 100th ATP title continues. The 37-year-old had two opportunities to reach the milestone in 2024, but he lost to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon and Shanghai finals, respectively. 

On Sunday, he had a considerably easier foe to contend with, going up against 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in the finals of the Miami Open. The third time wasn't the charm, as Djokovic lost back-to-back tiebreakers to suffer an upset loss to the Czech teenager, who clinched his career-first ATP title by defeating the man he grew up idolizing.

The match was delayed by nearly six hours due to incessant rain in Miami. Furthermore, there were concerns about Djokovic's health after a photo surfaced of him practicing with a swollen eye a day earlier. However, the 24-time major winner refused to make any excuses after his loss and declined to divulge details on his eye injury. 

"It's unfortunate for me," Djokovic said of the loss, via The Straits Times. "Two tiebreaks, just very weird match, weird day with rain delay and all the things that were happening. I didn't feel my greatest on the court, but it is what it is. Nothing to take away from his victory. I really prefer not to talk about — there is quite a few things, but I prefer not to...I will just congratulate him. That's it. I don't want to sound like I'm giving excuses here for my loss."