NOVAK DJOKOVIC was denied his 100th career title – by a teenager who only played because the referee was at lunch.
Djokovic, 37, hoped to join Roger Federer (103) and American great Jimmy Connors (109) as the only men to hit a century of trophies.
He also aimed to become the oldest man to win a Masters title in tennis history when he faced youngster Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final.
But a laboured Djokovic went down 7-6 7-6 to the Czech 19-year-old inside the Hard Rock Stadium.
It was Mensik’s maiden ATP Tour title – becoming the first player in 24 years to win their first title at a Masters event – and saw him leap from world No54 to No24 in the rankings.
Incredibly, though, he almost pulled out of the tournament BEFORE playing his first match against Roberto Bautista Agut in round one.
After collecting his trophy by beating his childhood hero, Mensik explained: “Big special thanks to one of the ATP physios, Alejandro.
“One hour before my first match here I was holding the paper to pull out from the tournament because my knee was hurting a lot.
“I was just lucky that the referee was having lunch.
“Then for the last time I came for the treatment. He did a miracle.
“Because of him I stepped on the court. Because of him I’m standing here.
“When I was young I started to play tennis because of you.
“There is no harder task in tennis than to beat him in the finals. But of course I felt really great and it’s my time, so I just tried to focus on the match like I did before in previous rounds.”
Unseeded Mensik beat Jack Draper in round two before coming through the 96-player draw to face Djokovic in the final, which was delayed by storms in Florida.
The Serb 24-time Grand Slam champion was spotted with a swollen eye during practice in Miami before stepping on court.
He administered himself eye drops before and during the match but looked depleted of energy as he missed out on securing his first tournament victory since the Olympics.
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But he showed his class with a magnanimous runner-up speech.
Djokovic – who was warned by Lionel Messi’s son he needed a ten out of ten performance – said: “Congratulations. Unbelievable tournament. First of many.
“It hurts me to admit it but you were better. In the clutch moments you delivered the goods.
“Unbelievable serving. Just a phenomenal effort mentally to stay in the difficult moments.
“For a young player like yourself this is a great feature. Something you’ll use many times in the years to follow.
“I wish you the best of luck. Maybe you’ll let me win one of the next times we play.”
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