By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Photograph credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Rafael Nadal is optimistic about the way forward for Spanish tennis, however asserts all of it comes down to at least one important factor.
How a lot enchancment can younger Spanish stars Rafael Jodar, 19, and 20-year-old Martin Landaluce make within the coming years?
King of Clay Nadal advised the Spanish media he’s assured reigning Australian Open and US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew from Roland Garros and Wimbledon whereas recovering from a proper wrist harm, will likely be again robust.
The questions are: how excessive are the ceilings for Jodar and Landaluce and the way arduous are they keen to work to realize their potential, Nadal mentioned in feedback printed by EFE.
“[Rafael Jodar] has had a really robust development on this final 12 months, going from virtually 900 to twenty and one thing on this planet, I don’t know precisely the numbers,” Nadal mentioned. “Whoever has a terrific capability is able to doing one thing like that.
“Carlos [Alcaraz] will come again nicely from harm as a result of he’s too good to not be like that,” Nadal mentioned. “Martín Landaluce is taking steps ahead and is from the academy.
“Ultimately, younger folks at all times rely upon the identical factor, the flexibility to enhance. Carlos is already the most effective gamers in historical past, the remaining we should wait to see the flexibility to enhance day by day.”
Spain at the moment has seven males within the ATP Prime 100 led by No. 2 Alcaraz, No. 22 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, No. 23 Rafael Jodar, No. 44 Jaume Munar and No. 58 Martin Landaluce.
Italy, led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, at the moment boasts eight males within the Prime 100, whereas the USA has 10 gamers within the Prime 100, led by No. 5 Ben Shelton, No. 9 Taylor Fritz and No. 19 Learner Tien.
