Djokovic image sparks serious concern ahead of Miami Open final

Tennis fans were left expressing their concern for the wellbeing of Novak Djokovic after worrying images emerged before a key final.

Novak Djokovic's eye sparked concern.

Tennis fans expressed their concern at Novak Djokovic’s swollen face ahead of the Miami Open final.

The Serb great, 37, beat Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-final to set up the showdown with Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, The Sun reports.

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But ahead of the match inside the Hard Rock Stadium, which was delayed by storms in Florida, there was worry over Djokovic’s wellbeing.

That is because video footage of Djokovic practising showed him with a big lump under his reddened right eye.

He was also spotted taking some eye drops at the side of the court before beginning his hit.

Djokovic - now coached by former rival Andy Murray - then wore a pair of sunglasses as he walked around the grounds before the final.

It is unclear what caused the injury or how much pain the 24-time Grand Slam champion was in.

But his beloved fans flooded social media voicing their concern.

Djokovic was sporting an infection under his right eye. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

One said: “Knowing Djokovic, he’ll play through this. Hand eye co-ordination could be affected ie; returning. But it is what it is. Do your best Nole. 100 can or will come when its meant to.”

Another wrote: “Damn!!! It better not affect his game today.”

A third added: “He’ll be fine, if that’s the extent of any physical problems he has.”

A fourth commented: “This happens to me occasionally if my allergies are bad enough.”

While Djokovic breezed past Dimitrov into the final, it wasn’t meant to be for him on Monday with Mensik claiming his first title on the ATP Tour.

Mensik upset Djokovic 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) to delay the Serbian superstar’s shot at claiming his 100th professional title.

Novak Djokovic's eye sparked concern.

Mensik started strongly breaking Djokovic’s first serve game to go 2-0 up and the tall, big-serving Czech was dominating until, at 4-2 Djokovic broke back when Mensik found the net.

The set remained on serve from then on, but in the tie-break Mensik’s powerful serve, with two aces, put him in charge from the outset.

He opened up a 5-0 lead and although Djokovic fought back the youngster sealed the set with an overhead volley.

It was the first set that Djokovic had lost in the entire tournament.

The second set was a nip and tuck affair with neither player able to break. Once again Mensik’s power proved decisive in the tie-break and when Djokovic went long on a return to hand him victory he fell to his back.

Mensik was too good on the day. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The match between the 37-year-old Djokovic and Mensik was the biggest age gap difference in a Masters 1000 final and the biggest age gap of any tour-level since 1976.

At 19 years and 201 days old, Mensik is the fifth youngest ATP 1000 Masters champion, behind only Michael Chang, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune.

Speaking at the post-match trophy presentation, Mensik revealed he nearly withdrew from the tournament before his first round match with a knee injury, but was able to get treatment from an ATP trainer that allowed him to play.

“One hour before my first match in Miami I was signing the paper to withdraw,” Mensik said.

“I was lucky the referee was at lunch. Then the physio did a miracle”.

“Novak, everyone knows you are the one,” Mensik said.

“When I was young I started to play tennis because of you.”

Mensik’s message written on the TV camera read “1st of many”, a sentiment Djokovic agreed with.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Djokovic image sparks serious concern ahead of Miami Open final