I "chilled" a bit with him and said hello. After the handshake, I didn't wash my hand before the match. It could bring me luck, so it was probably decisive for me today, says the 19-year-old with a smile.
Mensik won the semifinal against American Fritz with 2–1 in sets with the scores 7–6 (7–4), 4–6, 7–6 (7–4). Afterwards, the Czech wrote on a camera lens: "Thanks Leo".
It's not just about him (Messi) having won those Champions League titles and World Championship and all that. It was also about seeing that he's human. It was really fantastic and a dream come true, says Mensik about meeting the Argentine superstar, who has been playing for MLS club Inter Miami for a few years.
Now, a final in the major tournament in Miami against the 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic awaits. The Serb eliminated Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria, in his semifinal and it was after that match that Messi entered the locker rooms at Hard Rock Stadium.
Mensik's greatest achievement so far on the ATP tour is a final loss in a smaller tournament in Doha, Qatar, in February last year.
