Spanish tennis player Rafael Jódar, 19 years old and seeded 27th, is preparing for his debut at Roland Garros. He will face American Aleksandar Kovacevic, ranked 94th in the ATP rankings, in the first round. The draw favors the young player, who would avoid Jannik Sinner until a potential final, a path many veterans would sign up for without hesitation.
Technical analysis: Jódar's game on clay 🎾
Jódar bases his game on a heavy drive and mobility that allows him to defend solidly. His forehand generates wide angles, while his two-handed backhand seeks depth to open the court. His serve, although not a missile, gains precision with spin. Kovacevic, on the other hand, relies on flat power and direct serves. The key will be how Jódar handles long rallies, where his stamina and ability to increase the pace can wear down the American.
Jódar dodges Sinner: the draw is a gift wrapped in brick dust 🏆
That a 27th seed avoids the number 1 until the final is not a miracle, it's a lucky draw. Jódar can thank the organizers for not having to face Sinner in the round of 16, although to do that he must first overcome Kovacevic and several others. If the draw is a bed of roses, watch out for the thorns: in tennis, favoritism lasts as long as a lob on a clay court.