This is how the battle for being a seed in Roland Garros 2026 is going: Jódar risks it in Rome

Pedro de Pablos | 4 May 2026 | 21.20

The battle to be a seed at Roland Garros 2026 is at stake: Jódar gambles in Rome.

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Roland Garros 2026 is just around the corner, and the Masters 1000 in Rome that will take place in the coming days will be crucial in defining the seeds for the second Grand Slam of the year. This is where Rafael Jódar comes into play, needing a strong performance in Italy to secure a spot among the top 32.

The Spanish tennis player exited the Mutua Madrid Open ranked 34th, and the good news is that he doesn't have any points to defend from last year in Rome, so he will gain points no matter what he achieves. However, there are several players in similar positions, so he cannot afford to relax if he aims to be seeded at Roland Garros. The advantage he holds is that players like Carlos Alcaraz won't be in Paris, pending any last-minute withdrawals, so being among the top 33 would suffice.

Main Threats to Jódar's Seed Position at Roland Garros

Once Rome begins, Jódar will virtually be ranked 32nd, as Brandon Nakashima and Ugo Humbert do have points to defend from last year. However, he essentially needs to secure at least one win since he has competitors behind him expected to advance in the tournament, presenting a significant challenge for the young Spanish talent. Alejandro Tabilo, Zizou Bergs, and Denis Shapovalov are his direct pursuers, all within less than 150 points of him.

However, a standout name above all is Alexander Blockx. The young Belgian tennis player holds the 36th position in the live rankings, just 73 points behind Jódar. Furthermore, he doesn't have points to defend either, posing a serious threat to Jódar's aspirations. Blockx was the revelation of the Mutua Madrid Open, reaching the semifinals and defeating last year's champion, Casper Ruud, along the way. Therefore, he must not be underestimated in Rome.

Standing at the 31st and 30th positions are also Tallon Griekspoor and Corentin Moutet, trailing Jódar by 29 and 52 points, respectively. The Dutch player isn't performing well on clay, while the Frenchman is struggling with physical issues, making his performance uncertain. Hence, Rafa has a chance to surpass them in the rankings. Further back are other players like Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik, Casper Ruud, or Francisco Cerúndolo, who, barring a major setback, should maintain or even improve their positions after Rome.

Munar's Chances of Being Seeded at Roland Garros are Slim

Players like Alex Michelsen, Jaume Munar, and Tomas Machac are further behind, needing a remarkable performance as they are 200 points behind Jódar. They would also rely on Jódar not advancing far in the tournament. It's clear that Rafa has the opportunity to secure a seed at Roland Garros since if he continues his upward trajectory of recent tournaments, advancing several rounds should be expected to ensure this status.

However, an early defeat would be disastrous, as dropping to the 34th position would jeopardize his seeding. Taylor Fritz won't play in Rome and has missed the entire clay court season, but his presence at Roland Garros remains uncertain. Nonetheless, whatever happens, Jódar's progress is remarkable since a year ago he was ranked beyond the top 600, and at the start of 2026, he was 165th in the world. Thus, becoming a seed in major tournaments is just a matter of time, and achieving it at Roland Garros would be an extra boost to strive for a deep run.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así está el pulso por ser cabeza de serie en Roland Garros 2026: Jódar se la juega en Roma