HERAKLION/STARNBERG, August 16, 2025
Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar has clinched his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour by lifting the trophy of the Hersonissos Challenger 3 held at the Lyttos Sports Centre in Crete, Greece. The 18-year-old Madrid native, who entered the main draw of the €54,000 hard-court event as an alternate, beat sixth-seeded Frenchman Dan Added 6-4, 6-2 in Saturday’s singles final.
Jodar capitalized on four of his 10 break-point opportunities and won 59 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in one hour and 20 minutes.
RAFA IS THE CHAMP
18-year-old Raphael Jodar takes down Added 6-4, 6-2 to lift his first Challenger trophy in Hersonissos!#OnTheRise | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/Z9375DBxTB
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 16, 2025
The World No. 540 advanced to the championship with wins in the top half of the draw over Italian Luca Potenza, top seed George Loffhagen from Great Britain, Briton Harry Wendelken and benefited from the retirement of Petr Brunclik from the Czech Republic in the stage of the final four.
Jodar made headlines in 2024 by capturing the US Open Junior title, the biggest achievement of his young career so far. The Madrid native impressed in New York with his composure and powerful baseline game, overcoming some of the world’s best juniors to lift the trophy.
“That was an incredible moment for me,” he recalled. “I was very proud because all the hard work I’ve put in throughout my life paid off at that tournament.” What made it especially valuable: “I played against really strong opponents there – the best juniors in the world. That was the first step in my career.”
By winning his first title on the Pro Circuit, Jodar earns € 7,530 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.
