19-year-old Rafael Jodar, a sophomore at the University of Virginia, has elected to forfeit his college eligbility and turn pro in 2026.
Jodar made headlines when he defeated Learner Tien in round robin play at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals.
UPSET ALERT 🚨 ‼️
World No. 168 Rafael Jodar just beat Learner Tien in his Next Gen Finals debut 🤯
This is Jodar’s first ever Top-100 win! What a moment for the 19-year-old 👏 pic.twitter.com/8KXZnIGjwh
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 17, 2025
Rafael Jodar is putting the tennis world on notice 📝
After a stellar year that included 3 ATP Challenger titles, Jodar just beat world #28 Learner Tien at the ATP NextGen Finals after saving 4 match points 🤯
At only 19 years old, Jodar is already ranked #168 in the world 🌎 pic.twitter.com/YJEzHqQmb5
— UTR Sports (@UTR_Sports_) December 18, 2025
He became the third Spanish player to win three ITF Challenger titles joining Carlos Alcaraz and Nicolas Almagro. Jodar won his three titles in a two month span between August and October 2025.
He also won the 2024 Junior US Open.
Rafael Jodar Idolizes Nadal
Jodar was born in September 2006 when his idol and namesake, Rafael Nadal, had already won his first two French Open titles. He calls Nadal one of the greatest Spanish athletes of all time.
🇪🇸💪🏼 en las @nextgenfinals!
Really enjoyed spending some time with Martín Landaluce and Rafa Jodar in Jeddah and watching them play.
Great to see two 🇪🇸 players competing in a tournament that brings together the best young talents on the @atptour. Wishing you both the best of… pic.twitter.com/sD49JMS8YC
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 21, 2025
Nadal was at the Next Gen ATP Finals and spent time talking with Jodar. Jodar learned firsthand how tightknit the Spanish tennis community is because Nadal congratulated him on winning last year’s Junior US Open title.
Jodar is currently ranked 168th. His immediate goals are to qualify for the 2026 Australian Open and get into the Top 100.
Rafael Nadal has left his legacy on Spanish tennis with a talented and deep pool of players including World No. 1 Alcaraz, World No. 14 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and World No. 33 Jaume Munar.
Given his recent successes, momentum, and confidence, Jodar is a player to watch in 2026.
