Football legend’s presence inspires teenage tennis star’s breakthrough. Image: India Today.
(The Post News)– Czech teenager Jakub Mensik pulled off a stunning victory over Taylor Fritz at the Miami Open, and he believes a chance meeting with Lionel Messi may have played a role in his success.
Mensik described the experience as something truly special, saying encounters like that are rare. He shared a brief but memorable exchange with Messi and even joked that he deliberately avoided washing his hand after their handshake, thinking it might bring him some luck.
Clearly, Messi’s presence was on his mind—after his victory, Mensik wrote “Thank you, Leo” on the camera lens. Beyond the trophies and accolades, Mensik appreciated seeing a different side of the football icon. He expressed how incredible it was to witness Messi as a regular person rather than just the celebrated athlete the world knows.
Messi, who trained with Inter Miami before attending the tournament, will return to Hard Rock Stadium in June for the Club World Cup.
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