![\"Rafael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/jodar-siouxfallsch-2025.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Challenger
\n Jodar racing towards Jeddah… with laptop in tow<\/p>\n
Learn more about the 19-year-old Spaniard<\/p>\n
October 23, 2025<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jason Harris\/MarketBeat Open<\/p>\n
Rafael Jodar, competing this week at the SIoux Falls Challenger, is a fast-rising #NextGenATP teen.
\n By Grant Thompson<\/p>\n
Rafael Jodar<\/a> is on a roll \u2014 and the Spaniard is doing it all while juggling college coursework. The 19-year-old has captured two ATP Challenger titles in as many months, a surge that has rocketed the University of Virginia sophomore into ninth place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.<\/p>\n Jodar\u2019s latest triumph came last week in Lincoln, where he stormed to the title for the loss of just one set. After his matches, Jodar returned to his hotel room to complete homework assignments for his five classes.<\/p>\n \u201cI tried to complete all the assignments and all the tasks on Friday and Saturday, so I could enjoy the day off Sunday,\u201d Jodar told ATPTour.com. \u201cI have my laptop with me. You always have to do some work. It\u2019s good to keep your mind not thinking about tennis all day. When I have some free time, I do some work to catch up on the material that they do during the weeks I\u2019m missing.\u201d<\/p>\n A son of two teachers, Jodar takes pride in managing academics even amid his rise in pro tennis.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve always given priority to studies,\u201d Jodar said of his parents. \u201cAnd I\u2019m on the same page. I think studies are very important for your development as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n The qualification cutoff date (10 Novemebr) for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF<\/a> is fast approaching and Jodar will need to continue his late-season surge to earn a spot in Jeddah. Following his triumph in Lincoln, Jodar jumped from 18th to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah \u2014 a mark that even he was surprised to learn.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know that my ranking was there. I had no idea that I was ninth in the rankings,\u201d said Jodar, who was a sparring partner at last year\u2019s edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF<\/a>. \u201cIf I qualify, it would be a great opportunity to play against good players and it could be a good tournament for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Trophy time for Rafa Jodar \ud83d\ude0e#ATPChallenger<\/a> | @RFETenis<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cvODPSHx8H<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 19, 2025<\/a> You May Also Like: Rafael Jodar’s Journey: From idolising Nadal to forging his own path<\/a><\/p>\n Jodar is not the only Spaniard chasing a ticket to Jeddah. His countryman Martin Landaluce<\/a>, a fellow Madrid native, is well placed at fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Both Jodar and Landaluce grew up playing at Club de Tenis Chamart\u00edn.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re good friends,\u201d Jodar said. \u201cI\u2019ve known him since we were really young. I don\u2019t remember the exact age. Maybe 10, 11 years old. We used to play a lot when we were young. We played team [events] in juniors together. We know each other very well. We talk a lot and I\u2019m super happy how his season is going as well.\u201d<\/p>\n After Jodar\u2019s title run in Lincoln, Nebraska, University of Virginia head coach Andres<\/a> Pedroso drove Jodar three and a half hours north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the teen this week is joined by UVA assistant coach Brian Rasmussen for the MarketBeat Open<\/a>. The Jeddah hopeful will aim to strengthen his chances of qualifying for the 20-and-under event, which will be held 17-21 December.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n