Rafael Jodar has achieved the unthinkable.
The Spanish starlet has qualified for the ATP Finals, despite only turning professional at the start of this year.
Jodar secured the eighth and final ATP Finals qualification spot following Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning comeback victory against Taylor Fritz in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
Speaking of Alcaraz, let’s take a look at how the Spanish magician – and fellow Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal – fared on his ATP Finals debut.
Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Finals debut
Alcaraz qualified for the 2022 ATP Finals after winning his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open.
Where does Carlos Alcaraz’s forehand rank among the greatest of all time? 🎾
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he was ultimately forced to withdraw from the event due to injury.
Alcaraz again qualified in 2023, and on this occasion, injury would not prevent the Spaniard from making his tournament debut.
Alcaraz, seeded second at the 2023 ATP Finals, advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev in the group stage.
Novak Djokovic swiftly ended Alcaraz’s hopes of a debut triumph, winning their semi-final contest 6-3, 6-2.
“Best match of the tournament for me without a doubt,” Djokovic said afterwards. “It came at the right time, really, after spending a lot of hours on the court in the first three matches. I didn’t know how I’m going to feel.
Carlos Alcaraz’s 2026 ATP Finals campaign
- Group stage: defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4
- Group stage: defeated Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-2
- Group stage: lost to Alexander Zverev, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6
- Semi-finals: lost to Novak Djokovic 3-6, 2-6
“But tonight from the very beginning I felt the ball well. I was approaching the match with the right attitude, right mentality.”
Djokovic went on to win a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title, beating Jannik Sinner in the final.
Rafael Nadal’s ATP Finals debut
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, made his ATP Finals [then the Tennis Masters Cup] debut in 2006.
Like Alcaraz, the Spanish superstar reached the semi-finals, beating Nikolay Davydenko and Tommy Robredo en route.
Nadal, who qualified second in his group behind eighth seed James Blake, was beaten by Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
“I am satisfied for finish the season with my best game, satisfied for that, because you finish the season with a very good feelings. That’s very important. And I am satisfied with my semifinal, yes,” Nadal said during his post-match press conference.
“I win two matches against the two top eight players. And I lost against the No. 1 now today, but playing at very good level and good match, no?
“So I am happy with the tournament, yes.”
As for Federer, the Swiss star went on to the win the title in Shanghai, China, defeating James Blake in the final.
The occasion marked Federer’s third ATP Finals title.
Federer went on to win six titles in total, the last being in 2011.
Despite reaching the final on two occasions, Nadal never won the ATP Finals.
Add to Preferred Sources 