US OPEN

August 31, 2026

Mariano Navone

Press Conference

M. NAVONE/N. Djokovic

7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: First of all, congratulations.

MARIANO NAVONE: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: If you would, could you tell us your thoughts on your level of play tonight?

MARIANO NAVONE: Yeah, I mean, it's tough to think about the match. Like, now it's too late.

But, yeah, it was a tough match, a battle. I mean, playing against with Novak the first time in the biggest stage we have in the world of tennis right now. So, I mean, it's crazy. He never lose, like -- until 20 years, he never lose in first round, so I mean, it's crazy.

But, yeah, for me, I mean, the mental part, I think it was the best one. I was, like, two sets down, two sets to one down, and then break down also in the fourth, but in that moment, like, I feel it, you know? My game was better from there, but in the five set it was tough also for my shots, because he was (indiscernible) with injury. He was like -- I understood he wasn't, like, feel very good. So it's tough to play against him like this, because you know you have many chances to win against him.

So the first win, many things in my mind in that moment. So, yeah, but I'm very happy with all that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can you speak to just the magnitude of this win? Do you feel like this right here is the biggest moment of your career?

MARIANO NAVONE: Yeah, I mean, I never play in the Arthur Ashe, and I never play against Novak. It's my first time I won a five-set match. I mean, before that I think I lost, like, four matches.

So, yeah, I mean, this moment we will remember for a long time. You know, you beat Novak in the first round when it's Grand Slam. I mean, one of the last one I don't know yet, but you know, it's something important for me, important for my developing my game also and my mind, too, because I was really finding my level when it was Novak's.

So, yeah, I mean, it's minute odds. So I don't know what can I say more because Novak is the GOAT in this sport. I beat him in US Open, Arthur Ashe, night session. It's one of the best moment I have for sure in tennis.

Q. When you were growing up, did you ever think about playing Novak, playing Roger, playing Rafa, and in those dreams did you ever think about beating them?

MARIANO NAVONE: I mean, I was pretty close to beat Rafa in Bastad in 2024. I lost, like, in the third in four-hour match, so it was a really challenging match for me. That moment, it was the first time, like, 30 in the world. It was my first time in the ATP Tour.

So, yeah, I mean, it's Europe, and we're seeing these guys. You know, I got up many times so early to see Novak in Australia, to see Novak in French Open, to see Novak in US Open and going late before school. My mom say hate me, but yeah, I mean, it mean a lot.

I mean, sometimes when you are a kid and you are thinking about to play tennis, the biggest stage on tennis world, it's very important for you. Yeah, so when you have the chance to play against him, you wish and you dream to beat him in the kind of stage, because you grew up with that.

So, yeah, maybe it's a dream come true, but yeah, this was a pleasure.

Q. You mentioned how obviously Novak wasn't at 100%. Can you talk about when you first noticed that maybe he was struggling a little bit physically, and then also what was your strategy, or did your strategy change at all saying that he wasn't 100%?

MARIANO NAVONE: Yeah, I mean, I had to keep my mind in the moment, you know, in the moment, in my game, and the important things on my side. I couldn't see Novak every time, you know. It's tough to in four hours, 30 feeling okay, for sure.

Yeah, I saw him, like, in the fifth set, like a little bit unsure. Also, in the first set with some tired moments, but it's Novak. He's the GOAT. He always found the key for beat someone.

So, yeah, I mean, I think my side -- my best thing I did, it was thinking about my side, about my coach, about every time to thinking the strategy when in the thing I had to do. I mean, I think that is the side I can manage.