Player Features
The Jodar phenomenon arrives in Madrid: ‘I can’t say I could have imagined it’
The Spanish wild card Jodar is a rapidly rising star on the ATP Tour
April 20, 2026
Mutua Madrid Open
Rafael Jodar is set to compete in Madrid for the first time.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff
Although he has never participated in the tournament before, Rafael Jodar arrives as the undisputed star of the Mutua Madrid Open.
The Spanish #NextGenATP player is attracting photographers, autograph hunters and all the media attention at the Caja Magica, where his rapid rise through the ATP Tour can no longer be ignored. The Madrid native will compete in his home city as one of the biggest attractions of 2026, having firmly established himself among the most promising names in the locker room.
“I try to handle the pressure as I have done since I was little,” explained Jodar, who as of Monday, is an official member of the world’s Top 50, having climbed to No. 42 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I’ve always been a very calm person both on and off the court. I know there’ll be moments when things don’t go as well as they have in recent tournaments. In those moments, you prove whether you’re mentally strong. Those moments will also make me stronger”.
Jodar’s story continues to reverberate in the tennis world with rare intensity. Just inside the Top 700 a year ago, the Spaniard has claimed three ATP Challenger Tour titles and ended the 2025 season competing in the Next Gen ATP Finals. Now, he has boosted his profile even more with a quick start to the clay season, capturing his first ATP Tour trophy in Marrakech and reaching the semi-finals at the ATP 500 event in Barcelona.
“I knew I was doing things right. These last few months have gone very quickly for me and I’ve played a lot of matches. I can’t say I could have imagined it,” he added. “But I’m very happy to have started the clay swing like this, having played so many matches gives me a lot of confidence for this Madrid tournament. But I’m aware the conditions are completely different to the two previous tournaments I’ve played on this surface. I have to try to adapt as best I can.”
Watch Highlights of Jodar winning first ATP title:
Jodar explained that he is feeling great, can’t wait to begin the Mutua Madrid Open and will “try to give my all”.
“It’s a joy to play this tournament where I used to come as a spectator when I was young,” Jodar said. “Two or three years ago I came as a sparring partner. I’m really looking forward to getting started. There’ll be lots of familiar faces coming to watch me. I’ll try to do my best and enjoy myself.”
Well aware of his new status, the Spaniard is embracing his new reality with an astonishing sense of normality. Calm, consistent and with a personality that suggests a will to build his career at a steady pace.
“I’ve never set myself a goal,” Jodar explained. “I have to take it tournament by tournament, it’s my first year on Tour. I think I’m still a young player and I’m discovering a lot at these tournaments. I need to gain experience, compete against these kinds of players. I don’t set targets for the future, just take it tournament by tournament and do my best”.
Jodar’s next challenge will be a clash with Dutchman Jesper de Jong, in a draw where fifth seed Alex de Minaur looms as his potential second-round opponent.
“I have a lot of room for improvement in all areas,” he admitted humbly. “If you want to compete against the best in the world you have to be a very well-rounded player on all surfaces. I have to keep up the consistency I’ve shown these past months.”
