Rafael Jodar on first Top 10 win: ‘Top rivals that help you improve’ | ATP Tour

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Jodar on first Top 10 win: ‘Top rivals that help you improve’

The Spaniard upset the World No. 8 De Minaur on Friday in Madrid

April 24, 2026

The attention surrounding Rafael Jodar is growing day by day at the Mutua Madrid Open.

On Friday, the #NextGenATP Spaniard picked up the first Top 10 win of his career at Manolo Santana Stadium, belying the buzz surrounding him on the ATP Tour. In his hometown, the Madrid native cruised past World No. 8 Alex de Minaur, dropping just four games and unleashing an attacking style of tennis that promises to catapult him to the sport’s elite.

The Spaniard has become a household name in Madrid over the past few months. With his latest victory at Caja Magica, Jodar moved up to No. 20 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, proving the form he is currently enjoying.

“Everything happens very quickly, I play a lot of tournaments and games,” admitted the player who was born in Madrid coolly. “That allows me to compete with a lot of top players and improve my tennis.

“Today, my goal was to enjoy myself because you don’t play against an opponent like Alex every day. In front of all the people who came to support me, I tried to enjoy this moment.”

The Spaniard seemed oblivious to the size of the stage he found himself on, forcing his game from the start. Against one of the most physical players on the ATP Tour, who can guard the baseline tirelessly, the Madrid player found multiple winners and sent the fans into raptures with his aggressive play.

“I knew I had to enjoy myself, if I got a shot, I had to do it,” he added. “I knew things would be difficult, because the score doesn’t show how difficult the match was. In the second set, he hit the mud back and forth, but there were some key points that I was able to change. That’s what decided the match.”

The Spaniard’s modesty is perhaps a result of the progress he has made at Caja Magica. While on his debut, he had to fight back, on Friday, he needed just 75 minutes to take down De Minaur. However, for Jodar, his development is natural and to be expected.

“The first game helped me a lot to adapt to the conditions in Madrid,” he explained. “I come from something very different at Barcelona. It was good to get used to the Manolo Santana pitch. That doesn’t mean the next one will be too difficult; it will be a big challenge. Tomorrow I will try to have a good training day and approach Sunday’s game with the same mindset.”

In two days, Jodar will have the opportunity to be the leader of a new generation of players. The Madrid native will face Brazil’s Joao Fonseca for the first time, in a match between the two best players in the PIF ATP Live Next Gen Race.

“Joao is a strong opponent, and I have to prepare well for this match,” said Jodar. “I have to play my own game and always be ready if things don’t go well like today, I have to try to be strong in those times, we will see how it will go.”

In Madrid, when fans yearn for a new hero, Jodar responds with actions, not words. At just 19 years old, the Spaniard is ready to challenge the world’s strongest.