Mariano Navone: The Rising Star Ready to Challenge Sinner

Mariano Navone is an Argentine professional tennis player who has been making waves on the ATP tour. As Jannik Sinner prepares to make his comeback at the Italian Open, it will be Navone who stands across the net in the second round, presenting a compelling challenge for the world number one.

The Basics: Who is Mariano Navone?

Born on February 27, 2001, in Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mariano Navone is a 24-year-old tennis player with Italian roots. He currently holds a singles ranking of No. 99 in the world. Navone began playing tennis at the tender age of three, encouraged by his family, and honed his skills at the Escuela de Tenis del Club Atletico Nueve de Julio.

Key Facts About Mariano Navone:

• Full Name: Mariano Navone
• Birth Date: February 27, 2001
• Birth Place: Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Age: 24
• Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
• Weight: 160 lbs (73 kg)
• Plays: Right-handed with a two-handed backhand
• Coach: Andres Dellatorre
• Nickname: La Navoneta
• Tennis Idols: Novak Djokovic and David Nalbandian

Career Highlights and Breakthrough

Navone’s journey to the top has been marked by steady progress and impressive performances. Here’s a look at some key milestones in his career:

• 2023: Challenger Tour Success: Navone had a stellar year on the ATP Challenger Tour, winning five titles and finishing with a 40-18 record in these tournaments. His Challenger titles came in Poznan, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, Buenos Aires, and Santa Fe 2.
• 2024: ATP Tour Debut and Rise: He made his ATP Tour debut at the Cordoba Open as a wildcard. He also qualified for the Argentina Open. At the Rio Open, Navone secured his first ATP win against Federico Coria and reached his first ATP final, ultimately losing to Sebastian Baez. He reached the semi-finals of the ATP 250 in Bucharest, defeating top seed Francisco Cerundolo.
• Grand Slam Debut: Navone made his Grand Slam debut at the 2024 French Open as the 31st seed, marking the first time in the Open Era that a player was seeded in their first Grand Slam main draw. He reached the second round.
• Career-High Ranking: He achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 29 on June 10, 2024.
• 2025: Italian Open: Navone defeated Federico Cina to earn a spot in the second round against Jannik Sinner.

Playing Style and Comparisons

Mariano Navone is known for his aggressive baseline game and agility on the court. He is a right-handed player with a two-handed backhand. Navone himself has drawn comparisons between his playing style and that of fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman, as well as Australian Alex de Minaur. He uses a HEAD Boom Pro racquet, extended to 27.5 inches, with an 18/20 string pattern, customized with lead tape at 3 and 9 and with a leather grip.

Navone on Facing Sinner

Following his victory over Federico Cina at the Italian Open, Navone spoke about the opportunity to play against Jannik Sinner:

• He acknowledged the difficulty of the match, recognizing Sinner as an “incredible impressive player” who has “already won a lot at his age”.
• Navone expressed that it would be “special to play against Sinner on his return day in front of his audience”.
• He also noted that Sinner “may lack a little bit’ of rhythm” after a three-month absence and that it “will also not be easy for him emotionally”.
• Navone stated that he has “nothing to lose” in the match and that facing the world number one is “an incredible experience”.
• Navone hopes to “spoil his comeback a little” but recognizes it will be a special match.

Sinner vs. Navone: What to Expect

The match between Jannik Sinner and Mariano Navone at the Italian Open promises to be an intriguing contest. Sinner, making his return after a period of absence, will be looking to regain his rhythm and continue his dominant form. Navone, on the other hand, will be eager to seize the opportunity to test himself against the world’s best player and potentially score a major upset.

• This will be the first career meeting between Sinner and Navone.
• Sinner is the top seed and world No. 1, while Navone is ranked No. 99.
• Navone is a strong clay-court player, with much of his success coming on the Challenger Tour on this surface.
• Sinner had an impressive 2024 season, winning eight titles, including the Australian Open, Miami Open, and ATP Finals.

While Sinner is the clear favorite, Navone’s tenacity and aggressive playing style could pose a challenge. The Argentine will need to bring his best tennis and capitalize on any opportunities to put pressure on Sinner.

Beyond the Court

Off the court, Navone is known for his humble nature and commitment to continuous improvement. He enjoys playing basketball and football and supports the Argentinos Juniors football team. His nickname, “La Navoneta,” is a playful nod to Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina’s national football team, who is known as “La Scaloneta”.

The Road Ahead

Mariano Navone’s career is on an upward trajectory. With his talent, work ethic, and passion for the game, he has the potential to achieve even greater success in the years to come. His upcoming match against Jannik Sinner at the Italian Open is a significant opportunity to showcase his skills and make a statement on the ATP Tour. Whether he wins or loses, the experience will undoubtedly serve as a valuable learning opportunity as he continues his journey in the world of professional tennis.