Another opportunity slips away: Will Novak Djokovic ever win his 100th title?

Novak Djokovic arrived at the Miami Open with many doubts after his early eliminations at the Qatar Open and Indian Wells. The Serb had just suffered three consecutive defeats, something that has not usually happened throughout his career. However, he showed his best tennis of the season and reached the final, aiming to break the tie with Andre Agassi and win his 100th trophy.

But things did not turn out as he would have wished. Along the way he was crossed by a 19-year-old Czech named Jakub Mensik, one of the many fans he has around the world. The future tennis star was better in the most important moments, acknowledged by Nole himself in his speech at the post-match ceremony, and took the title after winning in two tie-breaks by identical scores [7-6(4), 7-6(4)].

With less than two months to go before Djokovic turns 38, this makes us think that he is running out of time to win his 100th title. Not to mention Roger Federer's 103, let alone Jimmy Connors' 109, which until not long ago he had in his sights. We know, because he has said it repeatedly, that he wants as many records as possible, but this one seems to be slipping away.

Since he took the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, everyone is talking about that 100th title. He had a first chance at the Shanghai Masters, but Jannik Sinner gave him no options, and now the same thing has happened to him in Miami against Mensik. Curiously, two players born in the XXI century and from the last generation called to dominate tennis. For this reason and many more, we can wonder if he will end up getting it.

The reality is that if he wanted it badly enough, he would sign up for a 250 with an inferior cast of players and end up taking it. But as the great champion that he is, he wants to do it on a big stage. Miami would have had a qualitative weight, since it is where he won his first Masters 1000 and has the tied record of 6 titles with Agassi. For the moment, we can only wait to see when he has another chance.