Mariano Navone's US Open Journey and Relationship with Julieta Villarreal Cerezo

Mariano Navone is tearing through the US Open draw and dragging his private life into the spotlight with him.

The Argentinian stunned the tennis world earlier this week by knocking out Novak Djokovic in the first round, then backed it up with a composed win over Matteo Berrettini in round two. Next up is a clash with compatriot Tomás Martín Etcheverry on September 4, the biggest match of Navone’s career so far and the latest step in a breakout run at Flushing Meadows.

He has never gone this deep at the US Open. He has never lifted a Grand Slam trophy. Suddenly, both feel closer than ever.

With the wins have come the questions. Not just about his forehand or his temperament under pressure, but about the person behind the player — and specifically, who shares this wild ride with him away from the court.

Navone’s heart off court

Navone didn’t dodge it. After his emotional victory over Djokovic, he confirmed he is in a relationship, letting a little of his guard drop in the press room.

“I don’t want to get too emotional, but… it’s going to be quite a night,” he told reporters. “In a little while, I’ll call my sisters, my girlfriend, everyone. It’s just crazy, but I’m truly happy, so happy about this.”

No mystery there. The man rewriting the script on court has someone firmly in his corner off it.

Who is Julieta Villarreal Cerezo?

Her name is Julieta Villarreal Cerezo, and while Navone’s social media is dominated by tennis, she has her place there too.

In February 2025, he broke from the usual match photos and training clips to post a birthday tribute to her on Instagram. The message, written in Spanish, painted a picture of a partner who is far more than a bystander in his life — describing her as an unconditional love, a unique companion, and, in a lighter touch, someone who makes an excellent chocotorta. He signed it off with affection and a nod to simple shared joys: more coffee, more little trips.

It wasn’t the first time she appeared on his feed. He had also posted a birthday tribute to her in February 2024, suggesting a relationship that has been steady in the background while his career has accelerated in the foreground.

A communications pro rooted in sport

Cerezo is not just watching sport from the stands. She works in it.

According to her professional profile, she is a senior communications analyst in the marketing department at Asociación Argentina de Polo, a role she has held since 2024. Before that, she spent five years, from 2019 to 2024, in the press and communications department at Asociación Argentina de Tenis.

The crossover is obvious. She has lived in the same professional ecosystem as Navone, speaking the language of press conferences, media requests, and the constant scrutiny that comes with elite sport. It may well be how their paths first crossed, though the exact start of their relationship remains private.

As Navone walks back into the noise and neon of New York for his third-round showdown with Etcheverry, the storylines will center on rankings, tactics, and whether this run is the start of something bigger. Somewhere on the other end of a phone, or perhaps in the stands, will be the communications specialist from Buenos Aires who already knows how to navigate a rising star’s world — and now watches it unfold with a far more personal stake.