Madrid, Spain – April 24, 2026 – Rafael Jodar delivered a stunning upset at the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday, defeating World No. 8 Alex de Minaur in straight sets to claim his first career victory over a Top 10 opponent.
The 19-year-old Spaniard, playing as a wild card, overwhelmed the Australian with powerful groundstrokes and pinpoint accuracy, winning 6-3, 6-1 in just 75 minutes on the Manolo Santana court.
Jodar’s performance drew praise from none other than World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who watched courtside and appeared impressed by the teenager’s composure and shot-making.
Following the win, Jodar raised his arms in celebration, acknowledging the home crowd that had fueled his momentum throughout the match. The victory marked his 10th win in the last 11 matches, underscoring a rapid ascent in the ATP rankings.
Just a year ago, Jodar was ranked outside the Top 600. Since then, he has captured his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech, reached the semifinals of the Barcelona Open 500, and now added a third-round appearance in both Miami and Madrid to his resume.
By defeating de Minaur, Jodar became only the second player born in 2006 or later to record a Top 10 win, joining Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, whom he is set to face in the third round.
Fonseca advanced after Marin Cilic withdrew from their scheduled second-round match due to food poisoning. The Brazilian had previously reached the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters, marking his best performance at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
The upcoming clash between Jodar and Fonseca promises to be a headline-generating encounter, featuring two of the youngest players currently ranked inside the Top 100.
For de Minaur, the loss extends a difficult stretch of form, as he continues to struggle for consistency on the European clay swing.
Jodar’s rise remains one of the most talked-about storylines on the ATP Tour, with his blend of power, precision, and poise drawing comparisons to some of the game’s rising stars.
