Rafael Jodar is one of tennis’ fastest-growing young talents, rapidly moving through the rankings after a stunning start to the year.
If you haven’t heard of him yet, you surely will soon.
Another exceptional youngster to come out of Spain, he is currently enjoying his best-ever run at a Masters 1000 event in Miami.
And, unsurprisingly, Jodar takes great inspiration from his legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Jodar reveals the conversation he had with Rafael Nadal last year
Speaking to Tennis Channel after his latest win, he actually revealed the conversation he shared with Nadal at the end of last year.
Granted the honour to chat with him at the ATP Next Gen Finals, he admitted: “It was fantastic, without a doubt. “I had the opportunity to talk to him for a while; it was the second time I saw him, but yes, you realise that he is a very kind and nice person.
He gave me some advice. He is someone very natural, very normal, a very normal person. It was a privilege that someone like Rafa saw me in the Next Gen Finals.”
Asked to expand on that advice, Jodar added: “Well, he told me to try not to play too many tournaments, because I think there are players who try to play everything, every week, and it’s not positive for your health.
“You have to do it if you want to be a great player and stay on the circuit for a long time. That’s one of the tips I’m going through.”
Nadal also spoke to Carlos Alcaraz after he won the Australian Open title, with the 39-year-old still as relevant as ever within the tennis world despite having retired in 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Jodar meet the Queen of Spain
Such has been Jodar’s rise, he, alongside Alcaraz, were granted the opportunity to meet Queen SofĂa of Spain whilst in Miami.
Both seemed supremely honoured to get the chance to meet Spanish royalty, and she wished them both good luck for the rest of the tournament.