ATP Tour

Navone: Djokovic win at US Open a childhood ‘dream come true’

Mariano Navone did have prior experience of facing an ATP Tour icon even before he stepped on court to face Novak Djokovic at the US Open.

In Bastad in 2024, the Argentine battled Rafael Nadal in a four-hour clay-court marathon but was ultimately unable to notch a statement win. With the agony of that defeat in the back of his mind, Navone avoided a similar feeling on Sunday night in New York, where he upset record 24-time major champion Djokovic across five sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I was pretty close to beating Rafa in Bastad in 2024,” Navone reflected after his 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 first-round triumph against Djokovic. “I lost in the third in a four-hour match, so it was a really challenging match for me. That moment, it was the first time [I was] 30 in the world. It was my first time [as a regular] on the ATP Tour… It was Europe, and we were seeing these [great players].

“I got up many times [as a kid] so early to see Novak in Australia, to see Novak at the French Open, to see Novak in the US Open and going late before school. My mom hated [it], but it meant a lot. Sometimes when you are a kid and you are thinking about playing tennis, the biggest stages in the tennis world, it's very important for you. So when you have the chance to play against [Djokovic], you wish and you dream to beat him in the kind of stage, because you grew up with that. Maybe it's a dream come true, but this was a pleasure.”

Navone dug deep to rally from a break down in the fourth set to secure victory in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Djokovic. The World No. 49 Navone also acknowledged the physical struggles that were clearly affecting his Serbian opponent in his first opening-round loss at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.

“It was a tough match, a battle,” Navone said. “Playing against Novak for the first time in the biggest stage we have in the world of tennis right now. It's crazy. He never loses, [since] 20 years [ago], in the first round, so it's crazy. For me, the mental part, I think it was [my] best one. I was two sets to one down, and then a break down also in the fourth, but in that moment, I felt it.

“My game was better from there, but in the fifth set it was tough also for my shots, because he was [struggling physically]. I understood he didn’t feel very good. It's tough to play against him like this, because you know you have many chances to win against him. [There were] many things in my mind in that moment [when I won], but I'm very happy with all that.”

Navone, who reached a career-high No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2024 and lifted his first ATP Tour title earlier this year in Bucharest, will take on Matteo Berrettini or Stan Wawrinka in the second round in New York. Regardless of what happens in that match, the 25-year-old already believes the 2026 US Open will remain a highlight of his career.

“I never played [before] in Arthur Ashe, and I never played against Novak,” Navone said. “It's my first time I won a five-set match. Before that I think I lost four matches. So this moment we will remember for a long time.

“You beat Novak in the first round when it's a Grand Slam… It's something important for me, important for developing my game also and my mind, too, because I was really finding my level… I don't know what more I can say because Novak is the GOAT in this sport. I beat him in US Open, Arthur Ashe, night session. It's one of the best moments I have for sure in tennis.”