The 25-year-old right-hander, currently ranked No. 49 in the ATP world rankings, will represent Argentina at the Estadio Ruca Che in Neuquén on September 19 and 20. Navone’s selection by captain Javier Frana underscores a remarkable ascent for a competitor who captured his maiden ATP singles title in Bucharest last April and recently shocked the tennis world in New York by knocking out the Serbian legend 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round of a Grand Slam.
“I live it with the responsibility that it has, but also enjoying it,” Navone told Infobae during the team’s official presentation. Tennis doesn’t always smile at you. There are many more times when it doesn’t smile at you. And today it is smiling at me.”
From Grand Slam Upset to National Duty in Neuquén
The transition from individual tour success to the team-focused environment of the Davis Cup marks a distinct shift in perspective for the player nicknamed “La Nave.” Navone made his debut for the national team in January of the previous year during an away series against Norway, where he secured the decisive point in a 3-2 victory.
Comparing his current status to his rookie national team appearance, Navone pointed to physical and psychological evolution. “There is another Mariano. It is another era, another year, another physique, another tennis quality, another mentality,” he explained to Infobae. He credited much of that shift to his work with coach Alberto “Luli” Mancini, whom he began collaborating with in March of this year, pivoting toward a more aggressive, victory-oriented mindset.
That mental shift crystallized in New York, where he became the first player in two decades to eliminate Djokovic in the opening round of a major tournament. Rather than obsessing over the stature of his opponent, Navone noted that his breakthrough came from focusing internally on solutions and maintaining emotional stability through regular psychological therapy.
A Special Homecoming for La Nave
The upcoming series against Turkey carries an extra layer of personal significance for Navone, who spent significant time competing in junior tournaments in Neuquén during his youth and maintains a circle of friends in the region. Playing in Patagonia provides a comfortable backdrop as Argentina lines up a squad that also incorporates young talent, including Catamarca’s Manu La Serna, who joins the roster as a hitting partner and developmental prospect.
“Not every day do we have the opportunity to wear the Argentine shirt,” Navone said. “When I was a kid I dreamed of this. I looked at the tennis players who had the Selection clothes and I wanted that too. Now I have the clothes with my name on it and I enjoy it immensely.”
For Argentine tennis, the fixture in Neuquén arrives during a robust competitive window that features 10 players inside the ATP Top 100.
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