challenger
How Rafael Jodar Joined Alcaraz in Challenger History…
Spanish teenagers continue their rapid rise, winning titles on their home campus
November 03, 2025
Jason Harris/MarketBeat Open/Giorgio Wittreich Foto
Rafael Hodar is the third Spanish teenager to win at least three Challenge titles, after Carlos Alcaraz and Nicolas Almagro.
Written by ATP Staff
When your name appears next to Carlos Alcaraz in the record books, you are at an elite level.
Rafael Jodar achieved that goal with a victory in the Jonathan Fried Men’s Pro Challenge on Sunday. The 19-year-old became the third Spanish teenager to win at least three Challenger titles, joining 24-time Tour-level winner Alcaraz and former ninth-place finisher Nicolás Almagro. Alcaraz and Almagro each won four Challenger titles as teenagers. Jordan just turned 19 in September and could equal them within the next 10 months.
Jordahl’s statement victory comes from a familiar background at the University of Virginia, where he is a sophomore. He defeated American Martin Damm 6-3, 7-6(2) in the final, a repeat of last month’s Lincoln Challenger championship match, also won by Jordan. The #NextGenATP star has won three Challenger titles in just a few months.
Following his win at the indoor event, Jordahl placed ninth at the PIF ATP Live event in Jeddah. The 2024 US Open men’s singles champion is targeting his first appearance at the Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF, where he was a sparring partner last year.
Most Challenger Title – Spanish Teenager
| player | title |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 4 – Oeiras 2021, Alicante 2020, Barcelona 2020, Trieste 2020 |
| Nicolás Almagro | 4 – Kiev 2004, Manebio 2004, Barletta 2004, Olbia 2003 |
| Raphael Jodar | 3 – Hersonissos 3 2025, Lincoln 2025, Charlottesville 2025 |
Blockx takes the crown in Bratislava and joins the top 100 for the first time
Jordahl is not only the winning #NextGenATP player this week. Belgium’s Alexander Blockx claimed his third Challenger title and second of the season at the Slovak Open in Bratislava. The 20-year-old, ranked fourth at the PIF ATP Live event in Jeddah, defeated France’s Titouan Droguet 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Blockx is ranked at a career-high No. 102 in the PIF ATP Rankings and is about to make his top-100 debut.
Navone wins Peruvian final in three sets
Argentinian Mariano Navone was crowned champion at the Los Incas Open in Lima, Peru, his second trophy of the season and his eighth. The top seed, who rose to a career-high ranking of No. 29 last season, defeated Italian Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the clay court final.
Mariano Navone in Lima Challenger. ” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2025/11/03/14/18/navone-limach-2025.jpg”>
Mariano Navone at Lima Challenger. Image source: Los Incas Open
Shimabukuro wins title in South Korea
Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro won the 2025 Eugene Seoul Open, dashing Coleman Wong’s hopes of becoming the first Challenger champion from Hong Kong in the final. The 28-year-old Shimabukuro defeated Wong 6-4, 6-3 to win his second trophy of the season and fifth overall.
Sho Shimabukuro celebrates with his team after winning the Seoul Challenge. ” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2025/11/03/14/16/shimabukuro-seoulch-2025.jpg”>
Sho Shimabukuro celebrates with his team after winning the Seoul Challenge. Image source: 2025 Eugene Seoul Open
Giustino returns to the winner’s circle
Italy’s Lorenzo Giustino returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2019 with victory at the Monastir Open, a Challenger 50 event in Turkey. The 34-year-old struggled in nine matches at the Challenger level this week but bounced back without dropping a set all week.
