Rafael Jodar is ready to make waves at the HSBC Championships later this week despite his lack of experience on the grass.
The Spanish 19-year-old has established himself as one of the Tour’s most promising young players following a breakout clay swing that saw him shoot up the rankings from 89th place to a current career best of 23. Since April, Jodar has won his first ATP title at a 250-level event in Morocco, reached the semi-finals in Barcelona as a qualifier, made back-to-back quarter-finals at Masters 1000 events, and also reached the last eight of the French Open. Roland Garros was only his second appearance in the main draw of a major.
Jodar looks to continue his surge at The Queen’s Club, which has been won by three Spanish players since 2000. Rafael Nadal triumphed in 2008 before Feliciano Lopez and Carlos Alcaraz both won the tournament twice.
“I haven’t played much on grass, but I’m feeling really good. I’m very happy with how my preparation is going, and I’m doing everything I can to make sure my debut goes well. I’m going to take it one match at a time and gain experience to adapt to this surface,” Jódar told news agency EFE over the weekend.
“On grass, the serve and the return are very important. My game adapts very well, but I still have a lot to learn to perform at my best,” he added.
This week will be the first time Jodar has played at a grass-court event on the ATP Tour. As a junior, he enjoyed some success on the surface by reaching the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon boys’ tournament two years ago. He also won another event in Roehampton that same year without dropping a set.
Jodar won the 2024 US Open boys’ title but decided to focus on the college tennis circuit last season to develop his game before turning professional. He was a standout player for the University of Virginia (UVA) Cavaliers.
As for dealing with the surge of media interest in him, Jodar praises those supporting him. He is coached by his father, Rafael, a high school physical education teacher by profession who also played basketball in his youth.
“I have people who give me great advice, and that’s what I take away from it. I have to keep doing what I’ve done so far and stay true to myself.” He said.
Jodar is seeded fifth at the HSBC Championships and is scheduled to play his opening match against Peru’s Ignacio Buse on Tuesday.
UPDATE: Jodar withdrew from Queen’s shortly after this article was published due to an abdominal injury.
