OFFICIAL: Rafael Jódar leaves the NCAA to become a professional tennis player

Diego Jiménez Rubio - 31 Dec 2025

Rafael Jódar, professional tennis player. Photo: gettyimages

It was an open secret, but the official confirmation was missing and it has come just a few hours before the start of the new season. Rafael Jódar will no longer combine his university studies with competitive tennis in the NCAA, having decided to become a professional tennis player after the impressive 2025 season.

The 19-year-old Spanish tennis player spent four months in college tennis, which were crucial for his development, but now it's time to start a new chapter. The player from Madrid will participate in the qualifying rounds of the 2026 Australian Open and aims to break into the top 100 this season, currently ranked 168th in the ATP rankings.

"Thank you, UVA. Forever grateful ⚔" - Rafa Jódar pic.twitter.com/RD51DwjfEa
— Virginia Men's Tennis (@UVAMensTennis) December 30, 2025

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, OFICIAL: Rafael Jódar deja la NCAA para ser tenista profesional

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