Rafael Jodar has been a shining light on the ATP circuit this year.
The youngster has risen over 150 places in the rankings just eight months after making the switch from college to professional tennis.
Since the start of the year, Jodar has beaten the likes of Alex de Minaur, Cameron Norrie, Arthur Fils and Lorenzo Musetti [twice].
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Jodar’s strong tournament performances have seen him rise to world number 11.
However, his rise has not been without controversy.
Mark Petchey defends Rafael Jodar
Jodar produced a stunning comeback effort to defeat Denis Shapovalov at the Cincinnati Open earlier this week.
Jodar trailed Shapovalov 1-5 in the final set before rattling off six straight games to clinch the match.
At 15-15 on one of Jodar’s service games, the Spaniard walked to his chair and changed his shoes after breaking his shoelaces.
This is far from the first time Jodar’s shoelaces have broken during a match. In fact, this situation has occurred in three consecutive tournaments.
Shapovalov voiced his frustrations, focusing particularly on Jodar consuming some fluids during the unorthodox break in play.
Jodar’s actions drew widespread criticism from onlookers on social media, with some suggesting that Jodar’s actions were a form of gamesmanship.
Jodar defended his conduct after the match, saying he ‘could not control’ the issue with his shoes.
Mark Petchey, the former coach of Emma Raducanu, has since stepped in to defend the 19-year-old.
“People want rivalries, but then get upset when someone steps into the arena and dares to be different,” Petchey stated in a post on X [formerly Twitter].
“Hopefully Jodar never changes his way.
“Tennis is never better when fans are completely invested in a player – either winning or losing.
“Hardest sport in the world needs a character of granite to be great.”
Jodar is set to contest his next match at the Cincinnati Open on Monday.
The 19-year-old, who is making his debut at the event, will compete against Alejandro Tabilo for a spot in the fourth round.
Just last month, Jodar recorded a stunning victory against the Chilean player.
The Spaniard fought back from a set down to triumph 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the Washington Open semi-finals.
“It is great,” Jodar said afterwards, as reported by the ATP website.
“I am doing good things with my team and especially my dad. He’s always there with me, so I really appreciate it… It means a lot to be in the final.
“But I have to keep pushing because there is another tough match tomorrow when I will face Fritz in the final.”
Jodar went on to lose in the final to Taylor Fritz, 6-7, 4-6.
Who could Rafael Jodar or Alejandro Tabilo play in the Cincinnati Open fourth round?
The winner of Jodar and Tabilo will play Flavio Cobolli or Alexander Blockx in the Cincinnati Open fourth round.
Cobolli beat Miomir Kecmanovic to reach round two, bouncing back from consecutive defeats in Umag and Montreal.
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Blockx, another exciting ATP youngster, defeated Mariano Navone in his first-round contest.
Whoever emerges from this section of the draw – Jodar, Tabilo, Blockx, or Cobolli, will likely play top seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals.
