Rafael Jodar performed admirably at the 2025 Next Gen Finals, winning two of his three group phase matches.
Jodar defeated top seed Learner Tien and compatriot Martin Landaluce, impressing 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
Unfortunately for Jodar, he was unable to advance to the semi-finals, pipped to the top two spots in his group by Tien and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
The young Spanish star has previously been a hitting partner for Carlos Alcaraz and is viewed as one of the brightest young talents on the ATP Tour.
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On Wednesday, the youngster announced a major decision that will have a big impact on his tennis career.
Rafael Jodar quits college and joins the ATP Tour full-time
In a post published on the University of Virginia’s X [Twitter] page, Jodar announced his departure from college tennis.
He said: “To all the UVA family and tennis supporters, after a period of deep reflection, careful consideration and many conversations with my family and coaches, I have decided to forgo my remaining college eligibility at uva and pursue my professional tennis career as of 2026.
“My time in college has played a huge role in my growth, both as a player and as a person, and I now feel prepared to take this next step and embrace a new challenge in my life.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the coaches, staff, and athletic administration for believing in me and supporting me throughout this journey. Being able to represent one of the most prestigious and successful tennis programs in the country and compete alongside such an incredible group of people has been an enormous privilege and it is something I will always be proud of.
“To my teammates, thank you for welcoming me from day one and pushing me to become better every single day. You showed me that tennis is about much more than individual results – it is about commitment, discipline, brotherhood, and shared goals.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m grateful for the memories, lessons, and friendships that I will keep with me for a lifetime.
“As I take this next step, I will continue to follow and support the University of virginia and its tennis program with pride.
“UVA will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to watching the program continue to succeed while I carry its values with me into this new chapter. Thank you UVA. Go hoos! Rafa Jódar.”
Jodar, who first enrolled at the University of Virginia in 2024, won the ITA National Rookie of the Year as a Virginia freshman following his impressive play during the 2024-25 college campaign.
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Rafael Jodar’s remarkable rankings rise
It has been a breakthrough 2025 season for the young Spaniard.
At the end of the 2024 ATP Tour season, Jodar was ranked 896th in the world. A year later, he was ranked 168th.
This rapid rise highlights how successful Jodar has been on the ATP Challenger Tour this year.
The Spaniard, the 2024 US Open Boys Singles champion, won three Challenger events in three months between August and October.
Jodar [pictured below, right] will hope to make a positive start to life on the ATP Tour as a full-time professional. The youngster will have the opportunity to play in his first professional Grand Slam main draw, if he can win three rounds of qualifying at the 2026 Australian Open.
Fellow Next Gen finalists Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy and Dino Prizmic are also on the qualifying entry list.
Jodar is the latest Spanish player to emerge as a potential superstar of the sport, following on from the likes of Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Carlos Alcaraz.
Will the youngster live up to the lofty expectations his predecessors have set? Only time will tell.
