Navone's grass-court conundrum

Mariano Navone’s introduction to grass 12 months ago was brief and eye-opening.

After winning an ATP Challenger Tour title on clay in Poznan on the Saturday, the 23-year-old travelled to west London 24 hours later to make his debut on the surface at Wimbledon qualifying. He won just three games against Ricardas Berankis, with the match lasting 60 minutes.

“Last year was my first time ever on grass. I came to the club and I thought, ‘Wow, this is a strange feeling’,” Navone told ATPTour.com. “It was crazy because I won a Challenger on clay and then the next day on Sunday I trained indoors on hard. Then when I played on grass on Monday I thought, ‘What is this? What is going on?’ Because it felt totally different than a clay court or a hard court. It was my first time and it was a different experience, a challenge!”

Twelve months on and Navone is set to compete on the surface for a second time when he plays Jack Draper in the cinch Championships. It will be his maiden tour-level grass-court match. The six-time ATP Challenger Tour champion is hoping he can find his groove on the surface this week, using last year’s experience as a learning curve.

“I didn't have time to prepare last year. This year it's different because I finished Roland Garros and then went home for a little bit and played on fast hard courts. I have prepared more, hitting on grass since Thursday. But it is the first time on the ATP Tour playing on grass because I am now playing more events as I am No. 29.

“I have expectations ahead of my first match but I'm nervous. I have to improve, to get a feel for grass and moving on grass. I hope for a good tournament, but I know it's my first time, so it's different when you have experience. I think my backhand works well on grass. It is better because I hit the ball fast. I can control the ball easier on this surface and I like to change quickly and hit down the line. My return is very important on grass. It is good on clay, so hopefully I can adjust quickly.”

Navone grew up competing on clay in Buenos Aires and has played the majority of his matches on the surface. This year, the 23-year-old has competed 36 times at all levels, with only one of his clashes coming off clay (Australian Open qualifying).

It is a surface the Argentine has flourished on, with Navone reaching tour-level finals in Rio de Janeiro and Bucharest earlier this year. Up to No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Navone revealed he is now receiving more attention from fans when at home. The 23-year-old has enjoyed this new aspect of his life.

“When I came back after [Roland Garros] people recognised me in the streets and in the bars people wanted to take some photos with me,” Navone said. “I went to a restaurant and people recognised me. I enjoy returning love to the people and children.

“Most importantly the children because they are little. One time I was this little guy. When I was a kid I saw Nalbandian. I was like ‘Wow, what a superstar’. When I saw David Ferrer this year in Rio at the ceremony, he hugged me and I spoke some words with him and that was crazy. He was my idol so it is really cool.”