From hitting partner to headliner: Rafael Jodar shocks top seed Tien in Jeddah

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One year after watching the Next Gen ATP Finals from the sidelines, Rafael Jodar made his debut in Jeddah on Wednesday—and did it in style.

The 19-year-old Spaniard stunned top seed Learner Tien, saving four match points to earn a 1-4, 4-3 (3), 1-4, 4-2, 4-3 (4) victory on Center Court. Up against the world No. 28, it marks the biggest victory of his career so far.

“It was a battle,” Jodar said afterward. “I knew the conditions were good for both, but I handled the good moments very well and I’m super happy to get the first win here in Jeddah. I just tried  to keep going and believe in myself. Learner always plays well, so I had to keep believing, and I knew that I was going to have a chance.”

Read More: Young and the restless: Former junior champs Alexander Blockx and Rafael Jódar take ATP Challenger titles

Jodar clinched the final qualifying spot in the 20-and-under event in late November, capping a late-season surge that saw him win three ATP Challenger Tour titles from August to November. The run pushed him to a career-high ranking of No. 166 on November 3, after sitting at No. 911 as recently as March.

Currently a student-athlete at the University of Virginia, Jodar won the 2024 US Open boys’ title and traveled to Saudi Arabia last year as a hitting and sparring partner. That edition of the tournament featured Tien, Arthur Fils, Jakub Mensik and eventual champion Joao Fonseca—all players who went on to make an impact on the ATP Tour in 2025.

The Spaniard says he learned from the experience and feels ready to make his own mark—starting in Jeddah.

“When I came here, I would see the players and I wanted to do well so that I could play the tournament. Now I have that opportunity,” Jodar told Marca.

The win moves Jodar to No. 2 in the Blue Group, with Tien dropping to No. 3. No. 5 seed Nicolai Budkov Kjaer tops the group after defeating No. 4 seed Martin Landaluce, 4-1, 3-4 (7), 4-2, 4-3 (4).

Jodar, the No. 7 seed, returns to action on Thursday as round-robin play continues at the Next Gen ATP Finals, where he will face Budkov Kjaer.

In the Red Group, No. 2 seed Alexander Blockx of Belgium has emerged as the early leader after defeating No. 8 seed Justin Engel in four sets.

No. 6 seed Nishesh Basavareddy, who recently hired Daniil Medvedev’s former coach Gilles Cervara, took down No. 3 seed Dino Prizmic in four sets and currently sits second in the group.

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