Virginia Men’s Tennis Star Rafael Jódar Reaches ATP Next Gen Finals
Milan, Italy – University of Virginia men’s tennis freshman rafael Jódar has qualified for the 2024 ATP Next Gen Finals, a tournament featuring the world’s top eight under-21 players. The declaration marks a significant achievement for the Cavalier standout and elevates UVA’s profile on the international stage.
Jódar’s invitation to the prestigious year-end event, held November 19-24 in Milan, recognizes his rapid ascent in the professional tennis world following a dominant debut season with the Cavaliers. The ATP Next Gen Finals serves as a proving ground for emerging talent, offering a platform to compete against the sport’s future stars and gain invaluable experience. This prospect allows Jódar to test his skills against the best in his age group and potentially launch his professional career.
During his inaugural season at Virginia, Jódar quickly established himself as a force in collegiate tennis. He finished with a 15-2 singles record, primarily competing on the top court, and maintained an unblemished 8-0 mark in conference play during the regular season. His extraordinary performance included victories over four opponents ranked within the ITA Singles Top 10, contributing to a total of 15 wins against ranked players. Jódar’s remarkable consistency was highlighted by a 17-match winning streak following an initial season-opening loss.
The accolades for Jódar’s freshman year extended beyond his on-court success. he was named ACC Freshman of the Year, earned All-ACC first team honors in singles, and was recognized as the ITA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year. Prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, Jódar was ranked No. 2 nationally in the ITA Preseason Singles rankings.
Jódar also demonstrated prowess in doubles competition, compiling a 14-4 record and concluding the year on a nine-match winning streak. He excelled on doubles court three, posting a 10-2 record, and achieved a perfect 6-0 record alongside teammate Roy Horovitz.
“I’m super excited to play there for the first time,” Jódar stated. “I think it’s a good opportunity for me to see my level with these players, because they are the best eight players under-20 that have done very well during the season. It’s a reward for those players to play against each other and to see the level.”
