Boris Becker sees Rafael Jodar closing in on a record born from his own teenage rise
ATPMonday, 10 August 2026 at 02:30
Boris Becker has publicly backed Rafael Jodar as the Spanish teenager continues his extraordinary rise through the ATP rankings, with the 19-year-old now threatening a record established by the German more than 40 years ago. Becker shared a post highlighting Jodar’s potential to become the fastest player to progress from the Top 100 to the Top 10, adding his own message of support for the Spaniard.
Jodar has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season after only beginning his professional career this year. He started 2026 ranked No. 165 but quickly moved into the Top 100 after reaching the third round of the Miami Open as a qualifier. His progress accelerated further during the clay-court swing, where he won his first career title in Marrakech and subsequently reached the semifinals in Barcelona.
The Spaniard then produced a sequence of deep runs at some of the biggest clay events of the season. He reached the quarterfinals in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros, with his run at the French Open representing his best Grand Slam performance so far. He has now carried that momentum onto hard courts, reaching the DC Open final before continuing his breakthrough at the Canadian Open.
Jodar is currently through to the Canadian Open quarterfinals after victories over Lorenzo Musetti and Jiri Lehecka, among others. His run has lifted him to No. 13 in the live ATP rankings, while another victory over Arthur Fils and progression to the semifinals would move him to No. 11. If he goes all the way in Montreal, he could also challenge Becker’s record for the fastest rise from the Top 100 to the Top 10.
Becker backs Jodar as record comes into view
The possibility was highlighted by tennis journalist Bastian Fachan, who compared the shortest periods between entering the Top 100 and reaching the Top 10. Becker currently holds the record after making the transition in 210 days, a mark that has stood for more than four decades.
According to Fachan’s calculation, Jodar could complete the progression in only 140 days if he wins the Canadian Open. That would put him 70 days ahead of Becker and give him the fastest Top-100 to Top-10 rise among the players included in the comparison.
Becker responded directly by sharing the post on social media and writing: “Let’s go Rafael Jodar !!!”
Let’s go Rafael Jodar !!! https://t.co/e2qNmUVjaD
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) August 9, 2026
The German has particular relevance to the record because his own rise was one of the most explosive in tennis history. Becker won his first Wimbledon title in 1985 at just 17 years old and became the youngest men's singles champion at the tournament at the time. He successfully defended the title the following year before adding the US Open crown in 1989 and eventually reaching world No. 1.
Jodar is now producing a similarly rapid ranking progression, although his route has come through a mixture of qualifying breakthroughs, ATP Tour titles and deep runs across different surfaces.
Jodar’s rise accelerates during Canadian Open
Jodar began the season outside the Top 100, but his Miami run marked the first major indication of how quickly his ranking could change. After coming through qualifying, he reached the third round of the Masters 1000 event and subsequently broke into the Top 100 in March.
His clay-court campaign then established him as a genuine contender. Jodar won his first ATP title in Marrakech before reaching the semifinals in Barcelona and quarterfinals in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. The sequence gave him consistent results across the European clay swing and significantly accelerated his ranking.
His transition to hard courts has been equally effective. Jodar reached the final of the DC Open, where he finished runner-up to Taylor Fritz, before arriving in Montreal and continuing his progress. His victories over Musetti and Lehecka have now taken him into the Canadian Open quarterfinals.
The current live ranking of No. 13 represents another major step from the No. 165 position where Jodar started the year. He is also within touching distance of the Top 10, with a semifinal appearance in Montreal projected to move him to No. 11.
The comparison with Becker therefore comes at a particularly significant point in Jodar’s season. At only 19, he has already won his first ATP title, reached a Masters 1000 quarterfinal and progressed to the second week of a Grand Slam. Now, with Becker himself backing his run, Jodar has the opportunity to continue one of the fastest ranking ascents of the modern era.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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