ATP Tour

How Rafael Jodar joined Alcaraz in Challenger history...

When your name appears next to Carlos Alcaraz in the record books, you are operating at an elite level.

Rafael Jodar has accomplished just that with his Sunday triumph at the Jonathan Fried Men's Pro Challenger. The 19-year-old became the third Spanish teenager to win at least three Challenger titles, joining 24-time tour-level titlist Alcaraz and former No. 9 Nicolas Almagro. Alcaraz and Almagro each claimed four Challenger titles as teenagers. With Jodar just turning 19 in September, he could tie them in the next 10 months.

Jodar’s statement triumph came on familiar ground at the University of Virginia, where he is a sophomore. He defeated American Martin Damm 6-3, 7-6(2) in the final, a rematch of last month’s championship match at the Lincoln Challenger, also won by Jodar. The #NextGenATP star has earned three Challenger titles in as many months.

Following his victory at the indoor event, Jodar is ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. The 2024 US Open boys’ singles champion is aiming for his maiden trip to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where last year he was a sparring partner.

Most Challenger Titles - Spanish Teenagers

Blockx banks Bratislava crown, closes in on Top 100 debut
Jodar was not only the #NextGenATP player to triumph this week. Belgian Alexander Blockx captured his third Challenger title and second of the season at the Slovak Open in Bratislava. The 20-year-old, who is up to fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, downed Frenchman Titouan Droguet 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Blockx is at a career-high No. 102 in the PIF ATP Rankings, closing fast on his Top 100 debut.

Navone wins three-set final in Peru
Argentine Mariano Navone was crowned champion at the Los Inkas Open in Lima, Peru, his second trophy of the season and eighth overall. The top seed, who ascended to a career-high No. 29 last season, overcame Italian Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the clay-court final.

^{Mariano Navone in action at the Lima Challenger. Credit: Los Inkas Open}

Shimabukuro triumphs in South Korea
Japan's Sho Shimabukuro won the Eugene Seoul Open 2025, where in the final he spoiled Coleman Wong’s hopes of becoming the first Challenger champion from Hong Kong. Shimabukoro, 28, ousted Wong 6-4, 6-3 to lift his second trophy of the season and fifth overall.

^{Sho Shimabukuro celebrates with his team after winning the Seoul Challenger. Credit: Eugene Seoul Open 2025}

Giustino returns to winner's circle
Italian Lorenzo Giustino returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2019 with his victory at the Monastir Open, a Challenger 50 event in Turkey. The 34-year-old entered the week on a nine-match skid at the Challenger level, yet returned to form by not dropping a set all week.