Challenger
Jodar racing towards Jeddah… with laptop in tow
Learn more about the 19-year-old Spaniard
October 23, 2025
Jason Harris/MarketBeat Open
Rafael Jodar, competing this week at the SIoux Falls Challenger, is a fast-rising #NextGenATP teen.
By Grant Thompson
Rafael Jodar is on a roll — and the Spaniard is doing it all while juggling college coursework. The 19-year-old has captured two ATP Challenger titles in as many months, a surge that has rocketed the University of Virginia sophomore into ninth place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.
Jodar’s latest triumph came last week in Lincoln, where he stormed to the title for the loss of just one set. After his matches, Jodar returned to his hotel room to complete homework assignments for his five classes.
“I tried to complete all the assignments and all the tasks on Friday and Saturday, so I could enjoy the day off Sunday,” Jodar told ATPTour.com. “I have my laptop with me. You always have to do some work. It’s good to keep your mind not thinking about tennis all day. When I have some free time, I do some work to catch up on the material that they do during the weeks I’m missing.”
A son of two teachers, Jodar takes pride in managing academics even amid his rise in pro tennis.
“They’ve always given priority to studies,” Jodar said of his parents. “And I’m on the same page. I think studies are very important for your development as a person.”
The qualification cutoff date (10 Novemebr) for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF is fast approaching and Jodar will need to continue his late-season surge to earn a spot in Jeddah. Following his triumph in Lincoln, Jodar jumped from 18th to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah — a mark that even he was surprised to learn.
“I didn’t know that my ranking was there. I had no idea that I was ninth in the rankings,” said Jodar, who was a sparring partner at last year’s edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. “If I qualify, it would be a great opportunity to play against good players and it could be a good tournament for me.”
Trophy time for Rafa Jodar 😎#ATPChallenger | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/cvODPSHx8H
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 19, 2025
Jodar is not the only Spaniard chasing a ticket to Jeddah. His countryman Martin Landaluce, a fellow Madrid native, is well placed at fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Both Jodar and Landaluce grew up playing at Club de Tenis Chamartín.
“We’re good friends,” Jodar said. “I’ve known him since we were really young. I don’t remember the exact age. Maybe 10, 11 years old. We used to play a lot when we were young. We played team [events] in juniors together. We know each other very well. We talk a lot and I’m super happy how his season is going as well.”
After Jodar’s title run in Lincoln, Nebraska, University of Virginia head coach Andres Pedroso drove Jodar three and a half hours north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the teen this week is joined by UVA assistant coach Brian Rasmussen for the MarketBeat Open. The Jeddah hopeful will aim to strengthen his chances of qualifying for the 20-and-under event, which will be held 17-21 December.
