Jodar on Marrakech milestone & working within the wake of Nadal, Alcaraz: First-Time Winner Highlight

First Time Winner

Jodar on Marrakech milestone & working within the wake of Nadal, Alcaraz: First-Time Winner Highlight

#NextGenATP star talks completely with ATPTour.com in Marrakech

April 05, 2026

Rafael Jodar notched one other notable milestone in his younger profession in Marrakech on Sunday, when the #NextGenATP Spaniard overcame Marco Trungelliti 6-3, 6-2 to earn his maiden ATP Tour title on the Grand Prix Hassan II.

Jodar, who was exterior the Prime 900 of the PIF ATP Rankings a yr in the past however will on Monday rise to a career-high No. 57, later spoke to ATPTour.com to mirror on his newest achievement, what it means, and the way he’s in search of to emulate the success of sure fellow Spaniards.

What does it imply to win your first ATP Tour title so early in your profession? I’m very pleased how the week went. General, I felt nice on court docket, from the primary match. It was the primary event on clay for me so it was going to be tough at first, however I at all times have the mentality that I’ve to present my finest tennis and what I’ve in that match. That’s what I did in all of the matches, so it means lots to win my first ATP title right here in Marrakech.

Simply 12 months in the past you had been exterior the World’s Prime 900. How do you summarise this fast rise? It’s been a fantastic yr for me. I’ve been in a position to expertise many good locations. I’ve been in lots of locations around the globe on this yr, so I’m tremendous grateful for all of the people who got here with me, that had been supporting me within the good and within the unhealthy moments. That’s at all times a motivation for me and I wish to thank all of the people who helped me to achieve this title.

You solely turned skilled on the finish of 2025. Did you anticipate success to come back this shortly? Actually, no. I by no means set a objective within the season. Simply to attempt to give my finest and enhance my tennis degree. However general, I feel I did a fantastic week on clay right here in Morocco, so I’m very pleased how the week went for me and I’ll strive to verify that is just the start. It has to present me motivation for the subsequent challenges.

Marrakech was your first tour-level event on clay. What do you assume has been the important thing to adapting so quick to the ATP Tour? I feel everybody right here performs very effectively. It’s important to be very centered on all of the challenges and all of the issues that different gamers do in the course of the matches. I feel in all of the tournaments it’s important to win the matches along with your finest degree, however some days you don’t have that degree so it’s important to maintain believing you may win the match. That has at all times been my motivation and mentality since I used to be a child.

Who’re a number of the folks you wish to dedicate this title to? To my household. I feel they’ve at all times been there for me since I used to be very younger. I additionally wish to thank my tennis membership, the place I’ve been enjoying since I used to be six years outdated. I wish to thank them for all of the amenities that they gave me since I used to be very younger. Additionally, to all of the people who help me.

The College of Virginia, the place I used to be final yr, and all of the coaches and teammates that supported me, that also help me [even though] I’m not there. It has been an excellent yr for me, so I wish to thank all of the people who help me within the good and unhealthy instances.

You additionally balanced school tennis on the College of Virginia along with your skilled rise. How did that have form your recreation and mentality? I feel it was a fantastic yr for me in school. I may develop lots and enhance my tennis degree lots. I used to be solely there six months or 12 months, however the coaches helped me lots, taking me to professional tournaments and balancing the faculty tennis with the professional circuit. It was a fantastic transition for me. I’m very grateful for the whole lot they did. The coaches had been additionally very shut with my dad, who was in Madrid, and I feel that connection additionally helped lots to develop my tennis degree.

You’re a part of a brand new era of Spanish gamers coming by means of. How motivating is it to observe within the footsteps of gamers like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz? It’s a whole lot of motivation, as a result of there have at all times been a whole lot of Spanish gamers, and superb ones. It’s nice that Spain has an increasing number of gamers enjoying nice on Tour. I’m tremendous pleased how everybody on the Tour is doing, not only for the tennis but in addition for Spanish sport. I feel it’s nice, and I’m very grateful to be a part of that nation.

How are you going to have a good time your first ATP Tour title? Actually, I don’t know. I should do one thing with my dad. I’ll return to Spain tonight and attempt to have a good time tomorrow a bit bit with my household. Actually, I don’t have any plans, however I’ll do one thing in Madrid.