Rafael Jodar: hometown hero and modern throwback player

In the highly anticipated battle of the ATP tennis teenagers at the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open, Rafael Jodar prevailed over Joao Fonseca.

Jodar, a native of Madrid, had the hometown crowd on his side until the end of the match which did not finish until after midnight.

The three set match was a true tug of war. Jodar won the first set, Fonseca the second, and Jodar prevailed in the third. The emotional win backed up his upset of Alex de Minaur in the previous round.

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A Rafael who wears Adidas

It is hard not to think about his namesake Nadal as Jodar makes his ascension in the ATP rankings. He is currently sitting at World No. 34 in the live rankings. Jodar is dangerously close to being seeded at Roland Garros. (32 players are seeded.)

This Rafael is taller, lankier, and wearing Adidas.

He is also a throwback player in the sense that his player’s box had just one person sitting in it, his father.

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Simple approach lessens the pressure

Jodar’s father learned tennis when his child was younger so that he could be his coach.

At some point, he may need to add a physio and expand his team. However, it is refreshing to see a 19-year-old emerging in the same way as players in previous generations did, with parents and family members doing the heavy lifting in helping their children foster a professional career. Keeping his circle small lessens the pressure and the need to answer to a team of people.