Spain's new Rafa eyes Queen's run in year of firsts

It has been a year of firsts for Spain's breakout teenage star Rafael Jodar.

A little over twelve months ago, the 19-year-old was outside the world's top 800. He had never played on the main ATP Tour or even contested a match at a Grand Slam.

Now, he arrives at Queen's as the world number 23, fresh off a run to the French Open quarter-finals that was only halted by eventual champion Alexander Zverev.

The next stop in his debut season participating on the sport's biggest stages will be Wimbledon, where his namesake, Rafael Nadal, won two titles - including triumphing against rival Roger Federer in one of the greatest matches in history in the 2008 final.

Jodar has not played an ATP Tour-level match on grass or even visited London before, but he is excited for another round of firsts in his young career.

"When I was younger I could never imagine that I would one day be here," he told BBC Sport at Queen's.

"It's something that I will never forget, to play on grass.

"I haven't played much on it but it's a surface I can do well on."

While Jodar, like any young aspiring Spanish player, does idolise Nadal, the reason he shares the name with the 22-time major winner is through family tradition: both his father and grandfather were named Rafael.

"Rafa for me is a role model since I was a kid, not just in tennis but in general. I think he's super humble," Jodar said.

"When I had the chance to talk to him he was a very good person, he gave me some advice.

"I am super grateful for everything he has done for Spanish sport and the tennis world."

Jodar only turned professional last year, after a brief period gaining experience in the United States college system.

He broke into the world's top 100 in March after a strong start to 2026 and captured his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech a month later.

He further demonstrated his propensity to thrive on clay by reaching the Barcelona semi-finals and the Madrid quarter-finals, where he lost to world number one Jannik Sinner.

But it was his Roland Garros run - where he became just the fifth man this century to reach the Paris quarter-finals on his main-draw debut - that really caught the eye.

So, what can be expected from Jodar on the grass courts?

Across International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments - the level below the ATP Tour - Jodar has a 90% win record on grass, winning nine of 10 matches in 2024.

That single defeat came at Wimbledon in a straight-set loss to Japan's Naoya Honda at the quarter-final stage of the boy's singles competition.

The loss brought an end to a nine-match winning run in south west London, after he prepared for the tournament by taking the junior title in Roehampton without losing a set.

While it remains to be seen how he will fare at the top level, Jodar appears to possess the weapons that can see him thrive on the grass.

His game is founded on aggressive baseline striking and the Spaniard is behind only tour-leader Sinner, renowned for his baseline dominance, in the ATP's 'return rating' value which combines each players' scores across first and second serve return points won, return games won, and break points converted.

Across the past 52 weeks, his record of winning 34.0% of first-serve return points is ahead of Sinner, and behind only Argentine Mariano Navone in the men's game.

Despite his relative inexperience, he also tends to remain unflinching in key moments.

Jodar is second on the tour for break points converted, his 44.7% putting him ahead of compatriot Alcaraz (43.6%).

His ATP 'under pressure' rating - calculated by combining a player's number of break points converted, break points saved, and tie-breaks and deciding sets won - is bettered by just nine players across the men's game behind, and better than five of the world's top 10.

With Carlos Alcaraz missing Wimbledon with a wrist injury, all eyes back in Spain will be on their latest teenage talent - but Jodar is not fazed by the attention.

"Tennis is one of the most popular sports in Spain. It has always had many good players," he added.

"Being a young player who is doing well on tour is cool.

"Everyone who wants a picture, autograph, I will always do that."