Djokovic refuses to blame eye infection for Miami Open loss

World Number five Novak Djokovic has refused to blame an eye infection for his shock loss to teenager Jakub Mensik in the final of the Miami Open Tennis Competition.

Czech teenager Mensik, upset Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) to win the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, denying the Serb his 100th career title.

Djokovic appeared with a swelling around his right eye but made no mention of it prior to the match.

During a changeover in the first set, he applied some eye drops and appeared to be troubled by the infection.

The record 24-time Grand Slam winner, when asked directly about the eye problem said he was reluctant to discuss the issue because he did not want to appear to be making excuses for his surprise loss to Mensik.

"I really prefer not to talk about it. There are quite a few things, but I prefer not to. I just want to congratulate him. That's it. I don't want to sound like I'm giving excuses here for my loss," he told news media following the final.

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 final since 1976.

Mensik has made no secret of the fact that he grew up with Djokovic as his idol and showered the Serb with praise following his victory.

"There is no harder task for a tennis player than to beat you in the final of a tournament," he told Djokovic during the trophy presentation.

Mensik, previously ranked 54 has now climbed 30 places to 24 as a result.