Virginia sophomore Rafael Jódar clinched the singles title on Sunday at the Jonathan Fried Charlottesville ATP Pro Challenger, held at the Sports Club at the Boar’s Head Resort. In front of a lively crowd of Cavalier tennis enthusiasts and teammates, Jódar triumphed over No. 191 Martin Damm with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (2), marking his third ATP Challenger title of the year.
Expressing his joy, Jódar said, “First off, congratulations to Martin Damm for how well he played this week. I want to thank the tournament staff, the Boar’s Head, the ball kids and everyone who made this tournament possible. It was a good week for me, the best week possible. I love how everyone came for the whole week. So happy to be playing at home and so grateful. I want to thank my teammates for coming out for every match and cheering for me. This has been one of the best years of my life.”
This match was their second encounter in just three weeks, with Jódar having previously defeated Damm in the finals of the Lincoln Challenger on October 19. Initially ranked No. 207 in the ATP World Rankings, Jódar is expected to break into the top 200 following this victory. His impressive record stands at 39-12 in Challenger and ITF World Tennis Tour matches this year.
During the tournament, Jódar overcame UVA teammate Dylan Dietrich in the quarterfinals, before defeating No. 212 Johannus Monday to secure his spot in the finals. Dietrich himself achieved a significant milestone by defeating World No. 203 Jay Clarke in the Round of 16, marking the first time he progressed to the quarterfinals of a Challenger-level tournament.
In addition to Jódar’s success, several alumni participated in the tournament. Iñaki Montes and Thai-Son Kwaitkowski represented the Cavaliers, with Montes losing a marathon three-set match in the Round of 16. Montes also competed in doubles with alumni James Hopper, while sophomores Keegan Rice and Jangjun Kim faced tough matches in the singles qualifying tournament.
The ATP Challenger Tour ranks just below the ATP Tour and offers players the opportunity to accrue points and gain valuable experience on their paths toward professional success. Jódar’s victory at the Charlottesville Challenger signifies not only his growth as a player but also uplifts the spirit of the UVA tennis community, promising even more exciting developments in the future.