Spain's new Rafa eyes Queen's run in year of firsts

Rafael Jodar kicks off his Queen's campaign against Peru's Ignacio Buse

Published 4 hours ago

The past year has been filled with milestones for Spain's emerging teenage sensation Rafael Jodar.

Just over twelve months ago, the 19-year-old ranked outside the world's top 800. He had never competed on the primary ATP Tour or played a match at a Grand Slam event.

Now, he arrives at Queen's as the world number 23, following a run to the French Open quarter-finals that was only ended by eventual champion Alexander Zverev.

The next destination in his debut season competing on the sport's biggest platforms will be Wimbledon, where his namesake, Rafael Nadal, claimed two titles—including a victory over rival Roger Federer in one of the finest matches ever played in the 2008 final.

Jodar has not played an ATP Tour-level match on grass or even visited London before, but he is eager for another set of firsts in his budding career.

"When I was younger I could never imagine that I would one day be here," he told BBC Sport at Queen's.

"It's something that I will never forget, to play on grass.

"I haven't played much on it, but it's a surface I can do well on."

'The new Emma' - positives Raducanu can take from Queen's to Wimbledon Published 18 hours ago

'The new Emma' - positives Raducanu can take from Queen's to Wimbledon

Published 18 hours ago

How to follow the men's tournament at Queen's on the BBC Published 3 hours ago

How to follow the men's tournament at Queen's on the BBC

Published 3 hours ago

While Jodar, like any young aspiring Spanish player, does admire Nadal, the reason he shares the name with the 22-time major winner is due to family custom: both his father and grandfather were named Rafael.

"Rafa for me is a role model since I was a kid, not just in tennis but in general. I think he's super humble," Jodar said.

"When I had the chance to talk to him he was a very good person, he gave me some advice.

"I am super grateful for everything he has done for Spanish sport and the tennis world."

Jodar only turned professional last year, after a brief period gaining experience in the United States college system.

He broke into the world's top 100 in March following a strong start to 2026 and secured his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech a month later.

He further showed his tendency to excel on clay by reaching the Barcelona semi-finals and the Madrid quarter-finals, where he lost to world number one Jannik Sinner.

But it was his Roland Garros run—where he became just the fifth man this century to reach the Paris quarter-finals on his main-draw debut—that truly stood out.

So, what can be anticipated from Jodar on the grass courts?

Across International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments—the level below the ATP Tour—Jodar holds a 90% win record on grass, winning nine of 10 matches in 2024.

That single loss came at Wimbledon in a straight-set defeat to Japan's Naoya Honda at the quarter-final stage of the boy's singles competition.

The defeat ended a nine-match winning streak in south west London, after he prepared for the event by taking the junior title in Roehampton without dropping a set.

While it remains to be seen how he will perform at the top level, Jodar appears to have the tools that could allow him to succeed on the grass.

His game is built on aggressive baseline hitting, and the Spaniard trails only tour leader Sinner, known for his baseline dominance, in the ATP's 'return rating' value, which combines each player's scores across first and second serve return points won, return games won, and break points converted.

Over the past 52 weeks, Jodar's record of winning 34.0% of first-serve return points is ahead of Sinner, and behind only Argentine Mariano Navone in the men's game.

Despite his limited experience, he also tends to stay composed in crucial moments.

Jodar is second on the tour for break points converted, his 44.7% placing him ahead of compatriot Carlos Alcaraz (43.6%).

His ATP 'under pressure' rating—calculated by combining a player's number of break points converted, break points saved, and tie-breaks and deciding sets won—is surpassed by just nine players across the men's game, and better than five of the world's top 10.

With Alcaraz missing Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, all attention back in Spain will be on their latest teenage talent—but Jodar is not bothered by the scrutiny.

"Tennis is one of the most popular sports in Spain. It has always had many good players," he said.

"Being a young player who is doing well on tour is cool.

"Everyone who wants a picture, autograph, I will always do that."