Rafael Jódar, the 2025 ACC Freshman of the Year in his brief time with the UVA Tennis program, advanced through qualifying to earn a spot in the men’s singles main draw of the 2026 Australian Open.
The first Grand Slam event of the year begins on Sunday.
Jódar will make his Slam debut facing fellow qualifier Rei Sakamoto of Japan.
Jódar is ranked No. 150 in the world. Sakamoto is No. 202.
Jódar, competing in a Grand Slam qualifier for the first time in his career, won three matches to advance into the singles main draw. He opened with a 6-2, 6-1 win against Australia wildcard Li Tu. Jódar faced UVA alum Chris Rodesch in the second round, logging a 7-6 (10), 6-3 victory before capping his run with a 6-3, 0-6, 6-1 victory against Luca Van Assche of France.
Jódar was the 2025 ITA National Freshman of the Year, posting a 19-3 singles record, finishing the year as the highest-ranked player in the ACC at No. 4 in the ITA Singles Rankings.
In his time at Virginia, he was an ITA Singles All-American, All-ACC First Team in singles and UVA’s Male Rookie of the Year across all sports. He won three ATP Challenger singles titles while enrolled at the University, as well as competing at the 2025 ATP Next Gen Finals in Doha, Saudi Arabia, in December.
Jódar announced on Dec. 30 that he would forego his remaining collegiate eligibility to turn professional.
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Chris Graham
