Mariano Navone produced the biggest win of his career at the US Open on Sunday, defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a five-set first-round battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 25-year-old Argentine, ranked around the top 50, fought back after trailing by two sets to one to win 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The defeat ended Djokovic's bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title and marked his first first-round exit at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.
Who is Mariano Navone?
Born on February 27, 2001, in Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires, Navone picked up a tennis racquet when he was just three years old. He trained at the Escuela de Tenis del Club Atlético Nueve de Julio before turning professional in 2021.
Navone broke into the world's top 125 after a successful 2023 season, during which he won five ATP Challenger singles titles. His career-high singles ranking is No. 29.
His breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage came at the 2024 French Open, where he became the first player to make his Grand Slam main-draw debut as a seeded player. He reached the third round at the 2025 French Open, his best major run before this year's US Open.
How Navone beat Djokovic
The Argentine refused to let the match slip away even after Djokovic took a two-sets-to-one lead. Djokovic had moved ahead early in the fourth set, but Navone responded by winning five consecutive games and forcing a decider.
Djokovic's physical struggles became increasingly apparent. He vomited several times during the match and battled cramping, while also requiring medical attention before the fifth set. Navone took advantage of the situation, racing to a 3-0 lead and eventually closing out the match after four hours and 36 minutes.
Navone's next challenge
The victory is Navone's biggest against a player of Djokovic's stature and his first over the Serbian.
He will now advance to the second round, where he is set to face either Italy's Matteo Berrettini or Swiss wildcard Stan Wawrinka, according to the draw provided in the original report.
For Djokovic, the loss was only his third first-round defeat at a Grand Slam, following exits at the 2005 and 2006 Australian Opens.