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Rafael Jodar joins exclusive list with Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal after latest Barcelona win
TL;DR
Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old Spaniard, has won his first ATP title and is gaining recognition on the ATP Tour. His recent victory at the Barcelona Open places him alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Key points
- Rafael Jodar is a 19-year-old Spanish tennis player.
- He won his first ATP title in Marrakech.
- Jodar achieved success at the Barcelona Open.
- He is being compared to Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Mentioned in this story
Rafael JodarCarlos AlcarazRafael Nadal
Barcelona OpenMarrakech Open
Photo by Mauricio Paiz/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rafael Jodar is quickly making a name for himself on the ATP Tour.
The 19-year-old Spaniard only turned pro this year, but heâs already being talked about as one of the top young players on the rise.
He picked up his first ATP title in Marrakech not long ago, and has carried that momentum into the Barcelona Open.
Jodar started his Barcelona campaign with a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 win over Jaume Munar, then followed it up by reaching the quarter-finals after seeing off Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3, 6-3.
Even at just 19 years old, Jodar is already carving out a place for himself in Spanish tennis history.
Rafael Jodar joins Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona Open record books
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images
Jodar has become just the third Spanish teenager to make it to the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open.
The 19-year-old joins Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in an exclusive group. Theyâre the only other Spaniards to have reached that stage of the tournament before turning 20.
Nadal first did it in 2005, then repeated the feat a year later, winning the title both times. He went on to become an 11-time champion at the event.
Alcaraz matched that achievement in 2022, beating Kwon-soon Woo and Jaume Munar on his way to a first quarter-final appearance. He didnât stop there either, eventually lifting the trophy after defeating Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets.
He defended his title a year later by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas, becoming just one of five men ever to win back-to-back titles at this event.
As for Jodar, heâll have a chance to move one step further when he faces Britainâs Cameron Norrie on Friday. The seventh seed has already seen off Stan Wawrinka and Ethan Quinn this week.
Q&A
Who is Rafael Jodar and what has he achieved recently?
Rafael Jodar is a 19-year-old Spanish tennis player who recently won his first ATP title at the Marrakech Open and continued his success at the Barcelona Open.
How does Rafael Jodar compare to Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal?
Rafael Jodar joins Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal as one of the few young players to achieve significant success on the ATP Tour at a similar age.
What impact does Jodar's victory at the Barcelona Open have on his career?
Winning at the Barcelona Open enhances Jodar's reputation as a rising star in tennis and sets a promising trajectory for his professional career.
