David Ferrer says Rafael Jodar is showing the kind of early promise that once marked Rafael Nadal, while also backing Carlos Alcaraz to return to Grand Slam contention when he is fully fit again.

Jodar has advanced to the Washington Open final, which will be the first ATP 500 title match of his career. He earned that place with wins over Arthur Fils, Kei Nishikori, Lorenzo Musetti and Alejandro Tabilo.

His final opponent will be Taylor Fritz. The two have met only once, at this year’s Delray Beach Open, where the American won in straight sets.

The Spaniard’s climb has been swift. After taking three ATP Challenger titles in 2025, he entered the top 100 in March and moved up more than 400 ranking places over the past 12 months. He then won his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech at 19, losing only one set across the event.

Jodar also reached the semi-finals in Barcelona and the quarter-finals in Madrid and Rome. That made him one of only two Spanish teenagers, alongside Alcaraz and Nadal, to reach the last eight at both Madrid and Rome in the same season.

Because of his Washington run, Jodar is already assured of breaking into the top 15 and could rise to No 11 if he beats Fritz in the final.

Ferrer, who finished his career as world No 3 and a French Open finalist, was full of praise for the teenager. “Those of us in tennis were already aware of Rafa’s progress, but it’s true that he’s [Jodar] had a fantastic year,” he said during an interview with El Larguero on SER.

“He’s broken into the top 20 by beating some outstanding players. Alongside Carlos Alcaraz, they represent the future of Spanish tennis. Carlos is already an established star, and Rafa is just beginning what I believe will be a great professional career.”

On Jodar’s mentality, Ferrer added: “He isn’t afraid. He reminds me a lot of Rafa Nadal when he was 17, and also of Carlos Alcaraz. They’re the kind of players who don’t feel stage fright at such a young age.”

Alcaraz, world No 3, has been out since April with a wrist injury and is expected back at the Cincinnati Masters, where he will defend his title. Ferrer believes the layoff will not prevent him from chasing the biggest trophies again.

“He needs to regain his match rhythm,” stated the former world No 3.

“Once he’s able to compete at the highest level again, I think it will only be a matter of time before he’s fighting to win Grand Slams.”

Jack Draper says the long run of injuries that has interrupted his progress since May 2025 has felt like a “perfect storm”, but he also believes Andy Murray’s arrival in his coaching setup has given him a “massive benefit” as he works toward a comeback.

The British player has dealt with repeated physical problems for more than a year. His troubles began during last season’s clay-court swing, when he suffered a bone bruise in his left arm. Even so, he still reached the semi-finals at Queen’s Club before falling to Marin Cilic in the second round of Wimbledon a little more than a week later.

He later tried to return at the US Open, but withdrew after getting through his opening-round match. Draper then chose to sit out the rest of the season and also missed this year’s Australian Open because the arm issue had not cleared up.

There were signs of progress early in 2026, when he reached the last 16 in Indian Wells and picked up a notable win over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. But his momentum stalled again after an opening loss in Miami and a retirement in Barcelona, which ruled him out of the rest of the clay season and Wimbledon.

After parting with Jamie Delgado, Draper brought Murray into his team in mid-May. The pair have worked together at just one event so far, the Eastbourne Open, and will continue the partnership at Draper’s next tournament, the Canadian Open, which begins on August 2 and runs through August 13.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Draper said, “I’ve had obviously an addition of Sir Andy [Murray] coming on to the team which has been a massive benefit for me considering he’s someone who’s been through a lot of struggle in his career,”

He added that the problem is more complex than a simple recovery timeline and said he is now in his best shape of the past year. Draper has dropped 143 ranking places over the last 12 months and is currently world No 147, but he insists the patience has been worthwhile and that he is nearing a breakthrough.

Jim Courier and Kyle Edmund have weighed in on the question many in tennis are now asking: who can realistically challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the years ahead?

The answer is not simple. Over the last 18 months, the Spaniard and the Italian have established a firm grip on men’s tennis. Between them, they have taken 10 of the last 11 Grand Slam titles, won the last two Year-End No 1 awards, and captured nine of the past 12 Masters 1000 events.

Alcaraz added another major milestone in January when he became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam by claiming his first Australian Open title. Sinner, meanwhile, has swept all five Masters 1000 tournaments played so far this season, something no player had done before. He also became only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to win each of the nine Masters 1000 events at least once.

On the Beyond The Numbers podcast, Edmund said Jack Draper stood out above the rest when it came to raw level and potential, though he stressed the need for more time on court. He also pointed to Alex de Minaur as a player who may be missing a piece, while identifying Joao Fonseca and Rafael Jodar as younger names with exciting upside.

“I think the guy who’s got that level on their day is [Jack] Draper,” began the Brit.

Courier broadly agreed and added Arthur Fils to the discussion, praising his movement and forehand while noting the influence of Goran Ivanisevic on his serve. He also mentioned Musetti as another possible factor if he remains healthy.

“I agree with all of those, I’m gonna throw in Arthur Fils as well,” the American said.

Neither former player mentioned Alexander Zverev, even though he ended the pair’s run of nine straight Grand Slam titles with his French Open triumph earlier this year. Zverev has also pushed both men in major matches, and at 29, he may still be the most immediate obstacle to their dominance over the next few seasons.