Young Tennis Stars Rise in Jeddah Race After Recent Wins

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Young tennis players Alexander Blockx and Rafael Jodar are making headlines as they climb up the rankings in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Blockx, a 20-year-old Belgian, captured his second Challenger Tour title of the season, defeating a former world No. 21 to secure his victory on Sunday.

With this win, Blockx rises to fourth place in the ATP Live Race standings, competing for a spot in the prestigious year-end event in December. Earlier this year, he also scored a win at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati.

Meanwhile, Jodar, a 19-year-old Spaniard, is now ranked ninth in the race after his own success at home in Virginia, where he also clinched his third Challenger title in just three months. Jodar defeated an American opponent in straight sets, showcasing his talent and potential in the competitive landscape.

Jodar has shared his journey balancing academics and athletics. “I try to complete all assignments and tasks on Fridays and Saturdays to enjoy my day off on Sundays,” he explained in an interview. His dedication to both tennis and education reflects the values instilled by his parents, who are teachers.

The 20-and-under event will unfold in Jeddah from December 17 to 21. The cutoff for qualification is November 10, and the top eight players will make the cut. Previous champions of the event include highly regarded players in the tennis world.