Rafael Jodar rises in ATP rankings ahead of US Open

Spanish tennis player Rafael Jodar is experiencing a rapid ascent on the ATP Tour. The 19-year-old, who began the year ranked outside the top 150, has climbed to the No. 11 position in live rankings following several notable performances, including a title in Marrakech and a final in Washington.

Toni Nadal, the former coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal, has praised Jodar’s mentality, suggesting he has the potential to challenge the dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal noted that Jodar has transitioned quickly from playing in satellite tournaments to competing against top-tier players.

Despite his rise, Jodar faces a slight ranking dip following a loss to Flavio Cobolli in Cincinnati. He is expected to drop to 13th in the upcoming ATP rankings, falling behind Arthur Fils and Frances Tiafoe. This ranking shift will impact his seeding for the US Open, where he is expected to enter as the 12th seed.