Rafael Jodar is just one win away from lifting the biggest title of his career. In the ongoing Citi Open, Jodar went past Alejandro Tabilo in the semifinals to schedule the final against home favorite Taylor Fritz .
Jodar is chasing the second title of his career. In April this year, the Spaniard beat Marco Trungelliti in the final of the Grand Prix Hassan II, an ATP 250 tournament.
Then in the remaining clay-court events, the 19-year-old impressed the tennis world by making deep runs in every tournament. He played the semifinals in Barcelona and reached the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open, Italian Open, as well as the French Open.
Following his third-round exit at Wimbledon, Jodar started his North American hardcourt swing campaign in Washington and beat players like Arthur Fils, Kei Nishikori, Lorenzo Musetti, and Tabilo en route to the final. In all of these tournaments, one familiar face remained a constant in his player's box: his father and coach, Rafael Jodar III.
I think we are doing very good things with my team. Especially with my father. He is always with me. I really appreciate that he travels with me every week. It means a lot to be in the final, but I have to keep pushing, because another tough match awaits me tomorrow.
Rafael Jodar said after the matchJodar will reach his career-best ranking of No.12 if he beats Fritz in the Citi Open final. Fritz will be facing Jodar for the second time, following their clash in the round of 16 of this year's Delray Beach Open.
I started playing tennis with him at my club when I was little, at four years old. It means a lot to me that he is in my box. He pushed me every day when I was young to play tennis just for fun. That was the main goal when I started. I am very grateful to him for everything he has done for me.
Rafael Jodar addedEn route to scheduling the match against Jodar, Fritz knocked out compatriots Alex Michelsen in the quarterfinals and Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals.
Rafael Jodar played the sixth quarterfinal of his career in Washington. This was the first time he reached the stage on hardcourt (he played every quarterfinal on clay).
My DNA is to fight until the end, give my all on the court, and never give up. I trained hard in the off-season to achieve this level of performance.
Rafael Jodar said at the press conference after his win over Kei NishikoriWhile Jodar has already clinched a title, Taylor Fritz is chasing his first title of the season. Prior to reaching the final of the Citi Open for the first time, the 2024 US Open runner-up lost to Ben Shelton in the finals of the Dallas Open and Stuttgart Open, and to Frances Tiafoe in the Halle Open final.
After the Citi Open, both players will shift their focus toward the Canadian Open. Jodar will face Marton Fucsovics or Corentin Moutet to start his campaign. He, in fact, will be playing in Canada for the first time in his career.
The American ace will meet Duncan Chan or Thiago Agustin Tirante in the second round. Fritz is a one-time semifinalist in the tournament, reaching the stage last year and losing the match to eventual champion Shelton.
The 28-year-old, who won the 2022 Indian Wells by defeating Rafael Nadal, will be chasing his second Masters 1000 title. Fritz has not yet reached another Masters 1000 final since that win.
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