ROME—Rafael Jodar continues to accelerate at lightning speed. And this week’s run at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia has shifted him into a new gear, one set to thrust the Spaniard into an even brighter spotlight come Roland Garros.
On Monday, Jodar is projected to overtake Joao Fonseca as the highest-ranked teenager on the ATP Tour following another terrific debut on the ATP Masters 1000 stage. The 19-year-old has backed up his quarterfinal showing at the Mutua Madrid Open by returning to the last eight in Rome.
“I’m just trying to follow my own path and develop myself. I am aware that I have to improve a lot of things,” he told Prakash Amritraj Tuesday, after his 6-1, 6-4 victory over fellow teen Learner Tien. “But that’s also good because I can raise my level. I’m enjoying a lot, the process. Me and my dad are learning a lot about these matches.
“I’m a calm person. I’m trying to keep my life simple.”
Before April, Jodar had never played a tour-level match on clay. He’s now won 15 of 17 matches on the surface, having celebrated his maiden ATP title run in Marrakech ahead of delivering a semifinal effort on home soil in Barcelona.
Twelve months ago when Roland Garros qualifying got underway, the Spaniard was ranked No. 686 and yet to contest a tour-level match while he pursued the college tennis route at the University of Virginia.
Fonseca, meanwhile, was firmly inside the Top 100, staking his claim as the fastest rising star with a showstopping Australian Open debut and his first ATP title. (Before turning pro, the Brazilian had been due to enter his freshman year in Charlottesville, Va. a year prior to Jodar’s eventual enrollment.)
The two recently clashed in Madrid, where Jodar prevailed 6-1 in a deciding set. Fonseca was then edged out by Hamad Medjedovic in his opener at the Foro Italico, leaving the door open for Jodar to surpass him in the rankings for the first time.
“I’m super happy. During the tournament I don’t really see the rankings,” Jodar said during his on-court interview after dismissing Tien.
“I just try to play the matches and try to be focused on what I have to do. That’s not my priority during the tournament.”
Jodar will now face No. 18 seed Luciano Darderi, who saved four match points in a stunning, 1-6, 7-6 (10), 6-0 upset of No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev. The Spaniard is bidding to become the youngest Rome semifinalist in 20 years, when none other than Rafael Nadal successfully retained his crown.