Rafael Jodar is undoubtedly the future of tennis, but he will have a difficult time usurping Jannik Sinner at the true apex of the sport.
After all, much like Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Stan Wawrinka were all cursed to be born in an era dominated by true greatness, this 19-year-old sensation still has a long way to go before he can be considered capable of properly challenging the world’s top two players.
However, there is cause for immense optimism, and that extends far beyond just his play on the court.
There are no questions over his physical or technical quality, and after his latest statements, there should be no further fears over his mentality.
Rafael Jodar seems like a complete player who is not far at all from becoming a consistent threat to the sport’s elite.
Rafael Jodar makes strong statement after losing to Jannik Sinner
The latest justification for this suggestion is what he said after his recent loss to Jannik Sinner.
After all, whilst Sinner praised Jodar’s level during their Madrid Open quarter-final tie, the Spaniard instead offered a unique, analytical outlook on what has been a mesmeric past month.
Can Rafael Jodar fill the void left by Carlos Alcaraz?
He's certainly stepped up in his absence so far…
Having won a title in Marrakech, reached the semi-finals in Barcelona, and now a quarter-final in Madrid, the youngster has soared up the world rankings with a fearless brand of ruthless tennis.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Jodar has promised that this is only the beginning. He insisted: “I’m taking away the fact that I was able to go toe-to-toe with Sinner in certain moments, but I still have a long way to go to improve.
“Now it’s up to me to analyse what happened so I can change it the next time I play against him.
“I’m going to keep being the same person, no matter what has happened in this last month.
“It’s my first year on the circuit. What I have to do is improve and use what happened today as a learning experience. Just because I’ve had these results doesn’t make me better than I really am. I need to keep my feet on the ground.”
Jannik Sinner could win everything in Carlos Alcaraz’s absence
For years now, we have become accustomed to one of Carlos Alcaraz or Sinner winning the sport’s biggest events.
That is why the appetite for someone like Jodar, Joao Fonseca or Arthur Fils to break through and disrupt this duopoly is so high.
However, with the world number two now ruled out of contention, after Alcaraz confirmed his absence at Roland Garros, there is a genuine fear that the Italian could win everything.
There are few players on the planet who can even compete with him when he is fully fit, and having already won Monte Carlo with Alcaraz present, it’s expected that without him, his domination will be further emphasised.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
Sinner is the heavy favourite to win Madrid, before heading home to Rome, where he will then be expected to claim the title there as well.
Roland Garros will be tough, and the burden of expectation should weigh heavily.
But again, he is by far the best player in the world in Alcaraz’s absence, and that gulf in quality could see men’s tennis rendered uncompetitive unless another challenger soon steps up.
