De Minaur Defeated by Spanish Teen Rafael Jodar
Australia's top-ranked player, Alex de Minaur, was defeated 6-3, 6-1 by 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in the second round of the Madrid Open. This loss marks a continuation of de Minaur's recent struggles on the ATP Tour.
Currently ranked world No. 8, de Minaur has lost six of his last ten matches, reflecting a concerning dip in form. The defeat came on a day when Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament due to a wrist injury, allowing local Madrid player Jodar to step in and deliver a commanding performance.
Jodar, a wildcard entrant and local favorite, dominated the match in just 75 minutes, marking his first victory over a top-10 opponent. De Minaur was unable to counter Jodar’s powerful and precise play, with his serve broken six times during the match, resulting in a decisive loss less than a month before the French Open.
Since reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 6, de Minaur’s performance has declined, with only four wins in his last ten matches. He has also been eliminated from six tournaments during this period, causing his ranking to slip back to No. 8.
During the match, Jodar hit 15 winners, including a remarkable inside-out forehand winner that concluded the contest. De Minaur managed only a few winners and committed 26 unforced errors, reflecting his difficulty in coping with Jodar’s aggressive style.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was present courtside, observing the match and likely recognizing the emergence of a new competitive threat in Jodar.
Jodar’s rapid rise is notable; he has climbed from No. 687 to No. 42 in the world rankings over the past year. His performance against de Minaur demonstrated the potential of this new generation of power players, signaling challenges ahead for established competitors like the 27-year-old Australian.
“It was crazy. Crazy feelings. I’m super happy to get my second win here in Madrid at my home tournament, where I used to come when I was a kid, and I used to watch all these top players in the stands,” said Jodar at the Manolo Santana Stadium, part of the renowned Caja Magica venue.
“Now, being able to play here in the centre court means a lot to me.”
De Minaur’s exit leaves Adam Walton as the remaining Australian competitor, who is scheduled to face 13th seed Karen Khachanov on Saturday.
Next, Jodar will face fellow 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, in a match featuring two of the youngest players ranked inside the world’s top 100. With his victory over de Minaur, Jodar became only the second player born in 2006 or later to defeat a top-10 opponent, joining Fonseca.
Jodar’s recent form has been impressive, having won his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech earlier this month and reaching the semifinals of the Barcelona Open. His continued success suggests he will be a player to watch at the upcoming Roland Garros tournament.
Other Tournament Highlights
Earlier in the day, top seed Jannik Sinner faced a challenging match against French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi. Sinner lost the first set in a tiebreak but recovered to win 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-4, advancing to the next round.
