Rafael Jodar Channels Nadal and Alcaraz to Secure Spot in Marrakech Quarter-Finals: “Fighting is in Our DNA”
The rising #NextGenATP star, now at a personal best World No. 89, will face former finalist Muller next.
April 2, 2026
Grand Prix Hassan II
This week in Marrakech, Rafael Jodar is making his debut in a tour-level clay event.
By Jerome Coombe
On Thursday, Rafael Jodar achieved yet another significant milestone at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, toppling fourth seed Tomas Machac in a thrilling encounter.
The 19-year-old Spaniard demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience, bouncing back from a mid-match challenge to secure a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory, marking his first appearance in an ATP Tour quarter-final. Jodar is only the fourth player born in 2006 or later to reach the last eight at this level.
First of many 🇪🇸
Rafael Jodar battles past Machac 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, to reach his maiden ATP Tour QF! ✅#GrandPrixHassanII pic.twitter.com/tnI1oZXCeI
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 2, 2026
“I’m feeling fantastic… It was a really demanding match, so I made sure to stay focused from the very first point,” Jodar commented after his first ATP Head2Head showdown with Machac. “Every Spanish player is a fighter. From Nadal to Alcaraz, we all embody that spirit. It’s part of our DNA!”
Machac upped the ante with a solid second set, serving it out on his second try after establishing a 5-2 lead. However, Jodar, standing tall at 6’3″, regained his momentum in the final set, showcasing his powerful forehand to clinch this milestone victory in just two hours.
After breaking into the Top 100 for the first time on Monday following a strong performance in Miami, Jodar is now competing at a career-high No. 89 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Remarkably, just a year ago, he was ranked outside the world’s Top 900. His rapid ascent includes three ATP Challenger titles that secured him a spot at the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah last December.
Next, Jodar will face his toughest challenge yet against Alexandre Muller, who also advanced to the quarter-finals after a strong performance against Vit Kopriva, winning 6-3, 7-6(3). Despite battling an illness, the Frenchman impressed with 28 winners, achieving back-to-back ATP Tour victories for the first time in 2026.
“I felt under the weather last night, which made it tough to step onto the court today,” Muller admitted. “I just focused on playing calmly to conserve my energy and somehow I won, which is a pleasant surprise!”
