Jodar closes in on Top 100 following Norrie Acapulco win: 'I am enjoying the process'
Rafael Jodar continued his rapid ascent on Monday at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC, where he brushed past former Acapulco finalist Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2 to reach the second round.
Twelve months ago, Jodar was outside the Top 900. Now he is on the verge of the Top 100, with his win against Norrie propelling him to No. 101 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
In the past six months, the 2024 US Open boys’ singles champion has clinched three ATP Challenger titles, competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals and now has three tour-level wins this year.
“I have been travelling a lot, playing a lot of tournaments,” Jodar told ATPTour.com following his victory against Norrie. “I haven’t had two or three weeks at home to relax and [process] what I am doing. But I am just trying to enjoy the process and every step I am taking in this beautiful process. I am trying to play all the tournaments I can and enjoy all the places I am able to play and it means a lot to me.”
Jodar committed just six unforced errors and did not face a break point against the World No. 26 Norrie, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Aged just 19, Jodar is only the fourth man born in 2006 or later to win a match at ATP 500 level, joining Joao Fonseca, Justin Engel and Diego Dedura.
“It is a great tournament, great facilities and organisation overall,” Jodar said when asked about competing in Acapulco. “It is one of my first ATP 500 events and getting my first win here in Mexico means a lot to me. It means a lot for me for the work I have been putting in and I am super happy.
“I just tried to be focused on every moment in the match. Cameron is a great fighter and a great player, so I knew some moments would be tough, so I tried to be tougher than him in those moments. I am happy to get the win here.”
[NO 1 CLUB]Jodar turned professional following the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah in December, when he recorded wins against Learner Tien and Martin Landaluce. The 19-year-old represented the University of Virginia in 2024 and 2025 and is the latest talent to have thrived from the US college system.
World No. 9 Ben Shelton represented the University of Florida in 2021 and 2022, while Next Gen ATP Finals champion Tien competed for the University of Southern California. The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals titlist Brandon Nakashima played for the University of Virginia and 21-year-old Ethan Quinn won the 2023 NCAA singles championship national title when representing the University of Georgia.
Aiming to become the latest college star to crack the Top 100, Jodar will next play Grigor Dimitrov or Terence Atmane in Acapulco.
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