--- title: "Rafa Jódar makes US Open debut, New York; Top-10 as teen" sdDatePublished: "2026-08-26T13:18:00Z" source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/teenage-debutant-rafael-rafa-jodar-us-open-2026-tennis" topics: - name: "tennis" identifier: "medtop:20001085" - name: "sport achievement" identifier: "medtop:20001301" - name: "sport event" identifier: "medtop:20001108" locations: - "Ajalvir" - "Virginia" - "Turin" - "Chile" - "Italy" - "Spain" - "United States" --- Rafa Jódar makes US Open debut, New York; Top-10 as teen Teenage debutant Rafa Jódar aims to raise the roof at US Open 2026, two years after junior title Teenage debutant Rafa Jódar aims to raise the roof at US Open 2026, two years after junior title From 168th in the world in January, the 19-year-old is on the verge of becoming the first teenager to break into the top 10 in the ATP world rankings since Holger Rune in 2022. Write off Rafa Jódar at your own peril. The Spanish starlet is enjoying a stellar debut season, having only gone professional at the turn of the year after playing U.S. collegiate tennis in Virginia. From 168th in the world in January, the 19-year-old is close to becoming the first teenager to break into the top 10 in the ATP world rankings since Holger Rune in 2022. He arrives at his debut US Open main draw as the 12th of 32 seeds and with next to no points to defend, since he did not participate last year. ‘Jodarmania’ is growing with every passing week and each thrilling highlight reel. “If you want to win even one match [at a Grand Slam], you have to show your best level,” Jódar said in an interview in Spanish with Cadena SER . “It is best to take it match by match, and if I get through a round, it’s a big joy. That is the objective. “There are many people who have appreciated me from the beginning, and the secret is to have a simple life and not think too far ahead.” Jódar’s main draw debut is not his first rodeo at Flushing Meadows. Two years ago, the Madrid native won the US Open boys’ singles title in a super tiebreak against Nicolai Budkov Kjær, another rising star on the men’s tour. This electric teenager is raring to write a new chapter in New York City, where he visited last month to watch Spain lift the football men’s World Cup. Perhaps he can take inspiration from La Roja and create history of his own in the Big Apple. US Open: Carlos Alcaraz makes injury comeback, Rybakina challenges for world No. 1 - schedule and how to watch live Rafa Jódar: Madrid's hometown tennis hero on a fairytale breakout run in the Spanish capital Meet the new 'Rafa' in Spanish tennis: Rafa Jódar Rafa Jódar is part of the new generation of Spanish tennis players who are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Rafa Nadal. The ‘new’ Rafa won the US Open Boys tournament and represented Spain in last year's Davis Cup. Jódar is currently on the US college circuit getting ready to make it in pro tennis. Rafa Jódar’s path to the top of tennis alongside father Rafael Such is the ascent of Jódar’s rise up the rankings, he goes into the season’s last Grand Slam ninth in the ‘Race to Turin’, where the top eight singles stars of the calendar year contest the ATP Finals in Italy. The 19-year-old won his maiden career title in Marrakech in April, reached the Roland-Garros quarter-final in his second major and has 10 wins on the U.S. hard court swing. There is no denying that he is in strong stead for a promising tournament. “Things have been going very well,” he explained. “I know that I am having a great season and I feel that my level is really developing well. It’s an achievement in itself… Playing against different types of players is what has improved my level.” Most impressive is just how assured he is against far more experienced counterparts. He scored his maiden top 10 win in Madrid against Alex de Minaur and has beaten Olympic bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti twice this month. Jódar plays with the maturity of a veteran and the tenacity of a youngster with nothing to lose, his aggressive style perfect for the speed of the US Open surface. A seeded entry also offers him a potentially easier run through the early rounds. While most players have an ever-growing entourage supporting from the stands, the world No. 13 only needs one person in his corner. Rafael Jódar Sr. , his father and coach, strikes a solemn image when sitting alone in the player’s box. But it is a dynamic that is certainly paying off at the moment. Jódar Jr. said of his dad, “We are very close. He is always with me and I am very grateful for his advice and everything that he has done for me. I haven’t thought about adding anyone to my team for now – we’ll have to look at the results at the end of the season and decide when the time comes.” Whatever happens, Jódar has plenty to look forward to in the final stretch of the season. The Spaniard will celebrate his 20th birthday two days before making his Davis Cup debut for Spain away to Chile. His last tournament as a teenager could also cap off a Spanish summer to remember in New York. 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