Messi handshake brings luck? Mensik believes so after Miami Open upset
The 19-year-old powered to a three-set win, setting up a showdown with Novak Djokovic in the final on 31 March—his first appearance in a Masters 1000 title match.
Czech teenager Jakub Mensik secured a stunning victory over Taylor Fritz at the Miami Open, and he believes a chance encounter with Lionel Messi may have played a role in his success.
The 19-year-old powered to a three-set win, setting up a showdown with Novak Djokovic in the final on 31 March—his first appearance in a Masters 1000 title match.
Messi visited the locker rooms at Hard Rock Stadium to meet Djokovic after the Serbian's earlier win over Grigor Dimitrov, and Mensik had the unexpected opportunity to be introduced to the football legend.
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"Meeting this legend, not even a human, it's not happening every day," said Mensik.
The young Czech admitted he made sure to hold on to some of Messi's magic.
"I just chilled with him a bit and shook his hand. And after shaking that hand, I didn't wash it before the match, you know, to bring me some luck, so probably that was the key for me today," he said with a smile.
Mensik certainly had Messi on his mind after his victory, writing "Thank you Leo" on the camera lens in tribute.
For Mensik, meeting the Argentine star was about more than just his footballing success.
"It's not just that he has won those Champions Leagues and World Cups and everything, but seeing he's also a human. It's really awesome that the dream came true," he added.
Messi made his way to the Miami Open after training with his club, Inter Miami. The tournament venue, Hard Rock Stadium, will also host Inter Miami's matches in June's Club World Cup.
