Mum’s the phrase on a possible pairing between Jodar and Juan Carlos Ferrero, nevertheless it’s not out of the query.
Chris OddoOctober 10, 20263 minute learn
Rafael Jodar has been one of many breakout stars of 2026, and together with his first full season on tour nearing its conclusion, the 20-year-old Spaniard is already considering the way to handle the calls for of life on the prime of the game.
One factor he’s not fairly prepared to debate? The potential for becoming a member of forces with Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The previous World No. 1 and longtime coach of Carlos Alcaraz has spoken extremely of Jodar in current interviews, even expressing curiosity in doubtlessly working with the rising Spaniard. If that occurs it might be one of many largest coach-player pairings of 2027, proper up there with the newly shaped Auger-Aliassime-Ljubicic pairing.
Requested concerning the chance after his second-round victory in Shanghai on Saturday, Jodar politely prevented the query, neither confirming nor denying that discussions have taken place.
“Proper now I’m going to concentrate on my subsequent match, which is a really powerful match,” Jodar stated. “After this, I’ve two extra tournaments, three in case I get chosen for the Davis Cup for Spain, which will likely be a match that I’m very motivated about. Then there’s a couple of month to consider the following season and to prepare for the following season.”
It’s an intriguing subplot for a participant whose speedy rise has caught the collective eye of the tennis world this season. Ferrero has stated that he has plans to return to teaching subsequent season, however in current interviews he has stated that no plans are finalized. Whereas doing so he has expressed reward for Jodar’s sport, and talked about that he’s open to the potential of teaching the younger phenom.
On the identical time it needs to be famous that Jodar has executed extraordinarily effectively together with his father Rafael on the helm, and he’s been praised for protecting his group light-weight and geared in the direction of his future, with out too many distractions. If Ferrero stepped in, Rafael would definitely need to cede some management. None of it needs to be something new for Ferrero, who labored effectively with Alcaraz’s household as he guided the megastar to his first six Slam titles.
Ranked No. 165 when he arrived at a Challenger occasion in Canberra in January, Jodar has rocketed up the rankings and is now closing in on a High 10 end.
A Lighter Schedule in 2027?
The 20-year-old has made his debut in any respect 4 Grand Slams, reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, and has additionally made a Masters 1000 semifinal in Madrid and Rome.
On Saturday, the No. 12 seed rallied previous Argentina’s Augustin Tirante 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in his Shanghai debut to arrange a third-round conflict with Jiri Lehecka.
After 55 matches in his first full season, Jodar admits that fatigue is changing into an element. However he’s additionally starting to know that the luxurious of selecting his tournaments will likely be an vital a part of his evolution.
“I do know I performed lots this yr, however that’s a very good purpose, as a result of I’ve executed effectively in a lot of the tournaments, so I’m pleased about that,” he stated.
“It’s the primary season, so it’s nonetheless a whole lot of issues to enhance and to be taught this primary season. After I end the primary season, I can sort of analyze what I’ve to play subsequent yr and subsequent season, and the way I ought to method the calendar and the schedule for me.”
For Jodar, 2026 has been about discovery. Subsequent yr may very well be about discretion.
“The primary season, I can not, you realize, like drop a match. It’s new for me, so I simply have to find them,” he defined. “The second season, I can choose what tournaments I ought to play.”