Some of tennis’ brightest ATP youngsters have been competing at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah this week.
The tournament, held annually, has previously been won by the likes of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca.
This year, world number 28 Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx will face each other in the final. Tien, who won his first ATP Tour title in Metz earlier this year, lost the 2024 final to Joao Fonseca.
Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion who retired from his playing career in 2024, has been watching on from the stands.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Nadal, who won his first major in 2005, was keeping a particularly close eye on two young Spanish stars.
Rafael Nadal sends a supportive message to Rafael Jodar and Martin Landaluce
Rafael Jodar and Martin Landaluce are two of the best young talents on the ATP Tour.
Jodar, the world number 168, is a former US Open junior champion who has won multiple ATP Challenger titles. The Spaniard also practised with Carlos Alcaraz during Spain’s 2024 Davis Cup campaign.
At the Next Gen Finals, Jodar was rather unfortunate. Despite winning two of his three group stage matches, he exited the tournament.
This is because Learner Tien and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer had both won two matches and had superior sets and games records.
Landaluce, the world number 134, is also a former US Open junior champion, having won the title in 2022.
Landaluce has been less fortunate in Jeddah, losing all three of his group stage matches.
Rafael Nadal, who watched the youngsters play in Jeddah, sent the pair a supportive message on social media.
On X [Twitter], Nadal said: “Really enjoyed spending some time with Martín Landaluce and Rafa Jodar in Jeddah and watching them play.
“Great to see two players competing in a tournament that brings together the best young talents on the ATP Tour. Wishing you both the best of luck for 2026!
Jodar said Rafael Nadal is ‘one of the best Spanish athletes of all time’
In an interview with the Next Gen Finals in September, Jodar heaped praise on Rafael Nadal, someone who the young Spaniard described as an inspiration.
“It’s inspiring to look back and see all the things that he has done not just for tennis, but for Spanish sports in general,” Jodar said.
“From my point of view, we consider Rafa Nadal as one of the best Spanish athletes of all time,” Jodar said. “And that’s insane, all the achievements that he has done, that’s impressive.”
Can you think of a more shocking Rafael Nadal moment in his career?
Both Jodar and Landaluce face big expectations heading into 2026. Whether they can fulfil these expectations remains to be seen.
