Luca Nardi isn’t just another name on the tennis rankings — he’s one of Italy’s most exciting young players, and he’s making waves fast. At just 22 years old, he’s already reached world No. 67 (as of March 2025) and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent tennis history: beating Novak Djokovic in 2024. That win didn’t just get him headlines — it announced him to the world.
Born on August 6, 2003 Height 1.85 m (6’1″) in the coastal city of Pesaro, Right-handed with a two-handed backhand. His family — especially his older brother — kept him motivated in those early years. By the time he was 16, he’d made a big decision: move to Tirrenia to train at Italy’s Federal Technical Center under coach Claudio Galoppini coached by Francesco Sani, Gabriele Costantini, Stefano Pescosolido
It wasn’t an overnight rise. Nardi made his ATP debut in 2020 and spent the next few seasons grinding through Challenger tournaments, winning titles on both clay and hard courts. In 2022, he broke into the top 150. A year and a half later, after a strong run at the BNP Paribas Open, he finally cracked the top 100.
Career Highlights & Milestones
- Peak Singles Ranking: World No. 67 (achieved March 3, 2025)
- Current Rank (June 30, 2025): No. 95
- Grand Slam Appearances: First-round exits at Australian Open (2025), French Open (2024, 2025), Wimbledon (2024, 2025), and US Open (2024)
- ATP Debut: At the 2020 European Open in Antwerp
The Djokovic Moment
Then came the match that changed everything. Indian Wells, 2024. Nardi entered the tournament as a “lucky loser” — a player who lost in qualifying but got a second chance after someone else withdrew. Ranked No. 123, he had nothing to lose. In the third round, he faced Novak Djokovic, world No. 1 and one of the greatest players ever.
Most expected a straight-sets win for Djokovic. Instead, Nardi stunned the crowd, becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to beat him at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam. His ranking skyrocketed after that victory, which sent him into the fourth round.
His recent performances were Wimbledon 2025: Lost in straight sets (6–4, 6–3, 6–0) against fellow Italian and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the opening round & Dubai ATP 500 2025: Nardi nearly upset Quentin Halys but lost a close match after a hard-fought victory over Zizou Bergs to advance to the later stages.
Since then, Nardi hasn’t slowed down. He’s added more Challenger titles, including a big win at the Tennis Napoli Cup in front of home fans. He’s also taken down solid ATP players like Daniel Altmaier at the Rome Masters and made his Grand Slam debut at the French Open. His game — a mix of quick footwork, sharp shot-making, and tactical smarts — is earning him attention from fans and analysts alike.
Off the court, he’s just as grounded. He loves soccer and padel, supports Napoli’s football club, and counts Roger Federer and Djokovic among his idols. Despite all the hype, he keeps his head down and focuses on the next match.
Breakthrough Moments
1. Victory Over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells 2024
In one of the most unforgettable upsets of recent tennis history, Nardi—ranked No. 123 and entering as a “lucky loser”—defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round (6–4, 3–6, 6–3)
- He became the lowest-ranked player ever to beat Djokovic at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam event .
Fans on Reddit captured the magnitude of the moment:
“He becomes the third lucky loser to ever beat a world No. 1… he is also the sixth player ranked outside the top 100 to beat the world No. 1 at a 1000” Reddit.
2.Challenger Titles
- 2024 Napoli Tennis Cup (Challenger): Nardi won the title, defeating Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the final.
- 2024 Rovereto Indoor Challenger: Captured the singles crown by beating Francesco Maestrelli.
- Other notable Challenger-level wins include titles in Porto and Matsuyama, with earlier victories in Forlì, Lugano, and Manacor.
Why Is Luca Nardi Important
Nardi’s ascent involves more than one unexpected victory. It’s about his confidence against well-known players, his ability to perform well under pressure, and his sense that he’s still learning. His blend of youth and maturity is noteworthy in a sport where it can take years to make it to the top.
Summary Table
Aspect | Details |
Best Ranking | World No. 67 (March 2025) |
Signature Win | Defeated Djokovic at Indian Wells 2024 as lowest-ranked opponent |
Challenger Titles | Napoli, Rovereto, Porto, Matsuyama, and more |
Grand Slams | Yet to advance past 1st round |
Strengths | Aggressive baseline play and not being afraid under pressure |
Growth Areas | Consistency and longer runs in big tournaments |
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