Novak Djokovic Inspired as He Aims for 100th ATP Title with Lionel Messi in Attendance

Novak Djokovic enjoyed the presence of a sporting legend as he secured another Miami Open triumph.

With Lionel Messi in attendance, Djokovic advanced to the Miami Open final by decisively defeating 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov with a score of 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday (AEDT) at Hard Rock Stadium.

Ranked fourth, Djokovic will aim for his seventh Miami Open title on Monday (AEDT), facing off against unseeded 19-year-old rising star Jakub Mensik, who triumphed in a nail-biting semifinal against third seed Taylor Fritz, winning 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4).

The 37-year-old Djokovic, a six-time champion at the former venue in Key Biscayne, is also chasing his 100th ATP title, a milestone achieved by only Roger Federer, who retired with 103 titles to his name.

Although Djokovic has struggled for consistency this year, having retired from the Australian Open due to injury last January and experiencing an early exit at Indian Wells against Botic van de Zandschulp this month, he is beginning to find his rhythm.

In the post-match interview, Djokovic expressed his delight at Messi’s presence, who is currently playing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, referring to him as “King Leo.”

Djokovic mentioned that Messi visited the locker room with his family, and they exchanged gifts. Although he has previously seen Messi play live, this marked the first occasion the football superstar came to watch him compete.

“Having his entire family here is thrilling,” Djokovic noted. “It’s a tremendous honour. He’s an extraordinary athlete and not just a brilliant football player. His influence on the sporting world over the past two decades has been profound.

“Knowing that he’s watching me live fills me with joy and excitement, along with a bit of pressure. It’s definitely an experience unlike any other, and I was genuinely touched by it.”

The match was briefly interrupted during the third game when security removed a disruptive fan. The chair umpire descended from his seat and called for security as he approached the stands.

Dimitrov had engaged in a verbal exchange with the fan and pointed him out to the umpire.

“It’s just some heckling, it’s no big deal,” Dimitrov commented. “I typically remain calm. I avoid conflicts but don’t provoke me.”

Dimitrov had defeated Francisco Cerundulo in the quarter-finals but remained on the court for 25 minutes post-match, requiring assistance due to dizziness. He was assisted off by medical personnel and cancelled his post-match press conference.

“I was given plenty of water and ice,” Dimitrov said, “but I don’t recall exactly what happened. We push our bodies to the limit. It was one of those matches where it felt like someone had to carry me off the court.”

Djokovic faced an early setback when he was broken by Dimitrov in the first game; however, he quickly found his footing and clinched the opening set in just 32 minutes.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion showcased his remarkable serving abilities, hitting an impressive 87 per cent of his first serves and making just six errors throughout the 70-minute match, with only five unforced errors.

“I now understand what it’s like to be (John) Isner or (Reilly) Opelka,” Djokovic quipped, referring to the tournament’s renowned serving stars. “Perhaps my serve has been somewhat underrated.”

Djokovic’s career record against Dimitrov improved to 13-1. The Bulgarian offered high praise for Djokovic’s confidence.

“He wears confidence like a mark on your shirt,” Dimitrov stated. “It’s a joy to witness. Only a few athletes in the world have that kind of quality.”

Mensik, who entered the Miami Open ranked 54th, will compete in his first ATP 1,000-point final, becoming the first Czech to reach a masters final since 2015.

During a tense moment against Fritz in the deciding tiebreaker, Mensik displayed his nerves of steel, securing the last three points.

He did not concede a service break throughout the match, and clinched victory with a backhand winner down the line at 5-4. Fritz faltered, hitting a forehand long during a lengthy rally and ultimately surrendered the match on double match point after mishitting a forehand.

Prior to the match, Mensik had a moment to shake hands with Messi. “I didn’t wash my hands before stepping onto the court,” he revealed.

Mensik cited Djokovic as a key influence for his decision to pursue tennis. Having lost to Djokovic in three sets during the Shanghai Masters last October, Mensik now faces an opponent with an 18-year age difference.

“Playing against him feels incredible and surreal,” Mensik remarked. “It was a dream to face him in Shanghai. I believe I’m a better player now than I was back then.”