Who is Mariano Navone? Unseeded Argentine who gave Novak Djokovic 1st US Open opener defeat

Mariano Navone produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 US Open, defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion and fourth seed Novak Djokovic in five sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 25-year-old won 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a gruelling match lasting four hours and 36 minutes.

It marked Djokovic’s first opener defeat at the US Open and his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open. The 39-year-old Serb struggled physically throughout, vomiting and later battling cramps, as he committed around 70 unforced errors. While the tennis underdog has stunned everyone with his performance, here is all you need to know about him.

All about Mariano Navone who gave Novak Djokovic 1st US Open opener defeat

Navone, currently ranked around World No. 49, called the victory a “dream come true” against the player he regards as the greatest of all time. After the match, the player said:

“Five sets against the GOAT it’s not something you do every day.”

Born on 27 February 2001 in Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires province, Navone stands 1.78m tall and plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 29 in June 2024 and claimed his maiden ATP Tour title at the 2026 Țiriac Open in Bucharest earlier this year.

Known primarily for his strong clay-court game and a string of Challenger titles, particularly in 2023, the Argentine has steadily established himself on the main tour. The win advances Navone to the second round and represents the standout result of his career to date, while raising fresh questions about Djokovic’s physical condition as he continues his pursuit of a record 25th major title.

Talking about his records in the US Open, Navone has never reached past the second round. Same for the Australian Open, while he has been eliminated in the 1st roiunds of the French Open and Wimbledon. Making his ATP Tour debut in 2024, defeating Djokovic has boosted his motivation to reach past the second round.

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