Nadal, Alcaraz and now Jodar: how Spain’s school of ‘suffering’ forges the stars of men’s tennis

Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old Spanish tennis player nicknamed the 'new Rafa', has risen from a ranking of around No. 700 a year ago to earn a seeded position at the 2025 French Open, which begins Sunday. Just a year ago he was completing his freshman year at the University of Virginia before turning professional after winning several ATP Challenger titles. Jodar claimed his first main-level ATP victory at the 2025 Australian Open, marking one of the most rapid ranking ascents in recent memory.