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Jodar: Youngest Rome Quarter-Finalist in 21 Years
12 May
Summary
- Jodar is the youngest Rome quarter-finalist since Novak Djokovic in 2007.
- He achieved a joint Tour-leading 15 clay wins this year.
- Jodar will be the highest-ranked teenager in Monday's ATP Rankings.
Rafael Jodar made history on Tuesday by becoming the youngest quarter-finalist at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in 21 years. The 19-year-old Spaniard defeated Learner Tien, 20, with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 scoreline.
This achievement places Jodar in elite company, as he is the first teenager since Novak Djokovic in 2007 to reach this stage in Rome. Jodar's impressive 2026 clay-court season has seen him win titles and reach multiple Masters 1000 quarter-finals, a feat also last accomplished by Djokovic in 2007.
Jodar's current form includes a joint Tour-leading 15 wins on clay for the season. He is set to become the highest-ranked teenager in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, currently sitting at world No. 29.
He is scheduled to face Alexander Zverev or Luciano Darderi in his next match. Jodar aims to surpass Djokovic's 2007 Rome performance and become the youngest semi-finalist since Rafael Nadal in 2006.
