Rafa Jódar, from the run-up to the Australian Open to fight to enter the ATP Finals in Turin

Rafa Jodarwho for the first time is seeded in a Masters 1000, is burning through stages at breakneck speed. The young man from Leganés, who started the course in 168th placehas ensured that he leaves Rome with the best classification of his career and as seeded in the next edition of Roland Garros (May 24 to June 7).

Jódar, who reached the round of 16 of the Roman TMS on Sunday, He will now face another ‘Next Gen’ like Learner Tien for a place in the quarterfinals.

Tien, the great promise of American tennis, won the last Young Masters in Jeddah. His only defeat was precisely against the Madrid player.

Rafa has gone, in four and a half months, from playing in the qualifying phase of the Australian Open to fighting to be a starter at the ATP Finals in Turin (November 15 to 22). He is fifteenth in the 2026 Race, with 1,069 points, 251 from the eighth position currently occupied by Flavio Cobolli.

In the wake of Sinner
​

Jódar has won 32 matches this season, only surpassed by Jannik Sinner (33)undisputed world number one and who has been walking around the circuit since the Doha quarterfinals.