MARRAKECH/WASHINGTON, April 6, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
The 34th edition of the ATP 250 Grand Prix Hassan II on red clay wrapped up a record-breaking and breakthrough week for both of its finalists, Marco Trungelliti of Argentina and Spain’s Rafael Jodar, at the Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech Sunday afternoon.
Just exactly what happens when the oldest first-time ATP Tour-level finalist in the Open Era, the 36-year-old Trungelliti, faces 19-year-old upstart and energetic Jodar, who was playing in his first tour-level title clash?
Well, in front of a raucous crowd of 3,000 fans, who filled the cozy confines of Center Court, Jodar gave a memorable performance worthy of a champion. He won his first ATP Tour trophy with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Trungelliti that lasted just 68 minutes.
Rafa Jodar: Remember The Name 👏
The moment Rafa Jodar captured a maiden ATP Tour level title in Marrakech #GrandPrixHassanII pic.twitter.com/oNIKiebNBa
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 5, 2026
In becoming the first teenager to win the Marrakech title in tournament history, Jodar relied upon a powerful forehand that produced 16 winners and enabled him to break his opponent’s serve four times in nine opportunities. He also won 86 percent (18 of 21) of his first-serve points. Meanwhile, Trungelliti was held to just three winners and committed 16 unforced errors. Jodar outpointed Trungelliti 62-36.
“It’s incredible. I have no words, honestly, to describe this feeling right now,” Jodar said during a brief on-court interview after securing championship point. “I’m super happy that I could get the title here in Marrakech. The first time for me in Marrakech and Morocco. I loved the crowd, everyone who came to support me and watch the final.”
For his reward, Jodar earned first-prize money of 93,175 euros and 250 ATP points – big numbers for the young Spaniard.
Crete Challenger ➡️ Marrakech ATP 250
Just nine months after claiming his first #ATPChallenger title, Rafa Jodar is now an ATP champion! 🙌#OnTheRise | @atptour pic.twitter.com/mBLajhj8uH
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) April 5, 2026
In accepting the runner-up prize, Trungelliti said: “Today, I guess I got kicked by this young man here. I tried to complete. It was sad for me today, because I was expecting a great final, but at least you saw a great final from one side, which was his side. Congratulations. Hopefully, we can practice a little bit more so I can get used to your game for the next time.”
Jodar’s rise to stardom has been swift and well deserved. He was ranked outside the Top 900 in the PIF ATP Rankings a year ago. Now, after turning pro just last December after playing college tennis for two years in the United States for the University of Virginia, Jodar has become only the second player born in 2006 or later to win an ATP Tour title, following two-time champion Joao Fonseca.
Young and fearless 🫡
The 19-year-old with the first of many 👏#GrandPrixHassanII pic.twitter.com/WSPYHsE5gu
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 5, 2026
According to the ATP Tour website, he’s the sixth Spanish man in the Open Era to win a tour-level title before turning 20, joining Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Robredo.
After beginning his season ranked No. 168, Jodar will rise 32 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 57. During his run to the Marrakech crown, Jodar produced five consecutive victories, against Dusan Lajovic, Tomas Machac, Alexandre Muller (by retirement), Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Trungelliti.
Meanwhile, Trungelliti’s run to the Marrakech final at the ATP 250 on red clay began as a 117th-ranked qualifier. He strung together six consecutive victories (two in qualifying followed by four in the main draw) before falling to Jodar in the final. On Monday, the affable Argentine will become the oldest Top 100 first-timer since 1973. Five of his six wins in Marrakech were straight-setters, including a 6-4, 7-6 (2) semifinal victory over World No. 19 and top seed Luciano Darderi of Italy.
By the numbers
According to the ATP Tour website, the Rafael Jodar–Marco Trungelliti final represented the fifth biggest age-gap in ATP tour history (since 1990).
Generations collide in Marrakech 🇲🇦
Jodar takes on Trungelliti for the crown 🍿#GrandPrixHassanII pic.twitter.com/VwGMhGwlgQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 5, 2026
“Quotable …”
“I’m very happy how the week went. Overall, I felt great on court, from the first match. It was the first tournament on clay for me, so it was going to be difficult at the beginning. But I always have the mentality that I have to give my best tennis and what I have in that match. That’s what I did in all the matches, so it means a lot to win my first ATP title here in Marrakech.”
– Rafael Jodar of Spain, Marrakech champion, quoted by the ATP Tour website, during a sit-down interview following his title victory at the Grand Prix Hassan II.
A STAR IS BORN 🇪🇸🔥
Rafael Jodar beats Trungelliti 6-3, 6-2 to secure his first ATP Tour title! #GrandPrixHassanII pic.twitter.com/5bAqSXUOsO
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 5, 2026
