• Czech won first title but nearly pulled out of opener
• Physio visit led to him denying Novak Djokovic in final

Jakub Mensik claimed the first title of his career with a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) win over Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s Miami Open final, but the Czech teenager revealed he had nearly pulled out of the tournament due to inflammation in his right knee.

Shortly before his opener against Roberto Bautista Agut, the 19-year-old was on his way to the referee’s room to announce his withdrawal, but found that the official was out for lunch and he visited the physio’s room instead.

“It was a big inflammation. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run,” Mensik said. “I started to treat it, started to take painkillers. Nothing was helping. During match day it was the same … I tried to step on the treadmill. I couldn’t move.

“I was visiting the referee’s office to say: ‘Guys, I’m pulling out,’ but he was having lunch. So OK, let’s visit the physio first. I said: ‘Hey, my knee is hurting. Just fill the paper. I’m going.’”

Mensik said the physio worked on his knee and deemed it was not a serious problem. “I stepped on the treadmill and it was the same. But I went over the pain. I was suffering in those moments.

“After a few minutes I started to feel a little relief. I took different painkillers, which helped a little bit. I was like:‘It’s 30 minutes before the match. I can walk. I can run. Let’s see.’

“Somehow I won the first round and then I had one day off. Day by day the knee was getting better and with that also my game.“

Mensik hoped the Miami title would be the first of many. “I’m still 19, so I have all of my career in front of me,” he said. “It feels great to have this [trophy] next to me, but it’s not just about the one title, one tournament … I’m hungry for more.”

Despite disappointment at failing to win his 100th ATP title, Djokovic said he was happy that the teenager was realising his potential. “I’m never really happy to lose, but he’s one of the few players I would be happier to lose to,” Djokovic said.