ATP Rafael Jódar Dani Mérida Martín Landaluce ATP Montreal 2026

The data that elevates Jódar, Mérida, and Landaluce as flag bearers of the new Spanish generation

Andrés Tomás Rico - 11 Aug 2026
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The data that elevates Jódar, Mérida, and Landaluce as champions of the new Spanish generation. Photo: Getty Images

While Rafa Nadal is missed, and while we await to see Carlos Alcaraz on a court, Spanish tennis continues to thrive. Although there was a slight 'crisis' at the beginning of the year with only four players in the Top 100, the meteoric rise of Rafa Jódar, Dani Mérida, and Martín Landaluce has brought back hope to the country.

Moreover, in a Masters 1000 in Canada without Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, both Jódar and Mérida have ensured the excitement and entertainment in the Montreal tournament, as they have both reached the quarter-finals. The former will face Arthur Fils and the latter will take on Learner Tien.

Jódar, Mérida, and Landaluce already know what it means to play in the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000

But before stepping onto the court at the Canadian tournament, these two Spanish players, along with Landaluce, have established themselves as the new generation of Spanish tennis. The confirming fact is that they are the three youngest Spanish players within the ATP Top 100 and have already reached the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000.

Jódar has already reached this stage three times (Mutua Madrid Open, Rome, and Canada), Landaluce achieved this milestone at the Miami Open and in Rome, while Mérida made the breakthrough in this Masters 1000 in Canada where he is flying.

This data also confirms a new reality: Spain will have depth to compete in the Davis Cup. They will no longer have to depend on Carlos Alcaraz's presence, and while they are the last finalists, after losing against Italy last November, the quality leap and the breath of youth is evident. In fact, according to Marca, these three players will be included in the squad against Chile next September.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El dato que alza a Jódar, Mérida y Landaluce como abanderados de la nueva generación española