Team Europe’s Jodar Looks Unrivaled After Winning His Laver Cup Debut

Rafael Jodar
Rafael Jodar (photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

LONDON/WASHINGTON, September 26, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

There’s little doubt that the Laver Cup has really elevated the history of the sport of tennis in a short period of time. The connection between Rod Laver and Roger Federer with the stars of the sport today has been an integral part of the success the Laver Cup has enjoyed throughout its nine editions. 

As the 2026 Laver Cup got underway inside London’s O2 Arena on Friday, one player who stood during Day 1 play was Team Europe’s rookie sensation Rafael Jodar of Spain. 

From the way in which the newly-turned 20-year-old Spaniard comported himself on the aesthetically-pleasing black court throughout his 6-2, 6-3 victory over Alexander Bublik of Team World, Jodar showed why he belongs on the big stage and that his career – he’s already on the edge of the world’s Top 10 – is headed in the right direction. 

A native of Madrid, Jodar has already beaten some big names during his rise this season in the ATP rankings to World No. 14, including: Alex de Minaur and Joao Fonseca in Madrid, Learner Tien in Rome, Arthur Fils in Washington, and Lorenzo Musetti and Jiri Lehecka in Montreal. He’s come a long way from being a contender on the ATP Challenger Tour, where he began the year ranked No. 165, to being a leading man on the ATP Tour – and has handled everything with much aplomb and in a professional manner.

During Team Europe’s pre-tournament news conference Thursday, Jodar was asked by Hall of Fame host Todd Woodbridge how it felt to be included in this year’s event.

“Yeah, it’s great to be with the best players in the world,” Jodar said unapologetically. “I think we have a very good team this year. Unfortunately, they didn’t win last year, but I think they are more eager to win it this year.

“Yeah, we are looking forward to starting the competition, and yeah, for me, it’s a pleasure to be here and to share this week with them.”

During his straight-set win over the 21st-ranked Bublik of Kazakhstan, in which he dropped just five points on his first serve, struck 22 winners and converted four of nine break points, Jodar showed plenty of poise and determination in his Laver Cup debut. By the conclusion of the first evening session match, which lasted an hour and 24 minutes, he had outpointed Bublik 69-44 in what turned into an extremely one-sided match. However, it was an opportunity for Jodar to showcase his talent, both for the capacity crowd of 20,00 fans that filled the O2 Arena and also for a worldwide TV and streaming audience.

 

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“It was a pleasure to represent Team Europe for the first time,” Jodar said in describing his Laver Cup debut during his on-court interview. “I think I felt great on court. I played against a very tough player. The atmosphere was great, so thank you very much to all the people who came.

“I just came from very different conditions playing Davis Cup [last week] far away. When I got the call from Yannick [Noah] to represent Team Europe, I didn’t think two times [about saying yes]. I think it’s right to be at an event where I can compete and be on the same team with the best players in the world. It’s a pleasure for me and I’m very grateful.”

Later, during his post-match news conference, Jodar gave a self-assessment of his Laver Cup debut against Bublik. “I knew it was going to be a very tough match. Always playing the first matches in events is difficult, but I think I handled very well the important and difficult situations in this match,” he said.

“I played against a very tough opponent, you know, who played I think great tennis, as well, but I think in important points I played better today.”

 

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After being selected for the Laver Cup in his first full season on the ATP Tour, which has seen Jodar winning his first ATP Tour title last spring in Marrakech, the was asked by a reporter what types of goals he has in mind going forward for 2027.

“Well, my main goal is to improve, to get better. It is my first year on tour, so I have still a lot of things to improve,” he said. 

“I can be a better player, so I have always been a person who has worked really hard and who has worked a lot to get the point where I am now.

“I think it’s a good situation, but at the same time, I want more. You know, I’m aware that I can be a better player in the future and that I can compete against the top players on tour.

“So, yeah, my goal is to keep improving, keep enjoying the game, and keep enjoying the opportunities like this, you know, a team event like the Laver Cup here in London.”

Around the Laver Cup – Day 1

• Casper Ruud of Norway put Team Europe ahead 1-0 with his 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8 victory over Team World’s Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in two hour and six minutes. Ruud hit 15 winners to offset 33 unforced errors and was outpointed 80-79 by Cerundolo.

“It was a great start for us,” Ruud said during his post-match news conference. 

“Obviously, every point on the board is important. I knew that. Even though I was down one set to love, I felt let’s try to pull this one out for the team and get a point on the board. It’s never over until it’s over.

“I was not pleased at all times with my game, but very pleased with the win.”

• Brandon Nakashima of the United States and Team World leveled the score at 1-all following his 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 victory over Jakub Mensik of Czechia and Team Europe. In a closely-fought match, Nakashima outpointed Mensik 55-49. He had an even number of winners to unforced errors, with 10 each, while benefiting from 27 unforced errors by Mensik.

“It felt amazing out there,” Nakashima said during his post-match news conference. “First of all, playing in front of the London crowd was amazing, almost a full stadium, and then, you know, being able to go out there and put a point on the board for the team and for the guys, you know, is an unbelievable experience for me. Yeah, really happy with it.”

• In the final match of the day, ahead 2-1, Team Europe’s Mensik and Carlos Alcaraz defeated Team World’s Bublik and Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 6-4, in one hour and 27 minutes to increase Team Europe’s lead to 3-1 heading into Day 2 on Saturday.

Alcaraz and Mensik combined to hit 28 winners and saved al five break points they faced. They outpointed their opponents 65-56.

• After the completion of Day 1, with his Team Europe squad enjoying a 3-1 lead, team captain Yannick Noah had this to say: “Well, it was a very interesting first day, a lot of emotions. First two matches were so close. You know, it can go either way. Start with winning the tiebreaker 10-8, and then second game, losing the tiebreaker. So that was a lot.

“But the spirit in the team is very good. After that, I’m happy with the third and fourth match. The doubles was very entertaining. But again, I know that last year we were up 3-1 the first day, so now it’s time to go rest and get ready for a good, interesting weekend.”

Day 2 matchups

Afternoon session, 1 p.m. London Time

• Flavio Cobolli vs. Learner Tien

• Alexander Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur

Evening session, 7 p.m. London Time

• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Taylor Fritz

• Casper Rudd/Alexander Zverev vs. Alexander Bublik/Brandon Nakashima

 

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By the numbers

Casper Ruud of Team Europe has appeared in the Laver Cup six times and played in the opening match on Day 1 five times. His victory over Team World’s Francisco Cerundolo on Friday reversed the only loss he’s incurred on the Laver Cup singles court.

“Quotable …”

“I also want to thank Roger, who was in the stands watching me. It’s a pleasure that he is in the stands, and also Rod Laver, whom the tournament is named after. It’s a pleasure to see him watching these types of matches, so thank you guys for being here.”

– Rafael Jodar of Spain and Team Europe, during his on-court interview after defeating Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan and Team World Friday evening. His win gave Team Europea 2-1 lead.

 

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