What does Jódar need to break into the Top 10 for the first time this week?

May no one wake from this dream of Rafael Jódar. The Spaniard, in his first year as a professional, is having a year to remember. He started as the number 150 in the ATP ranking and is now only 46 points away from the prestigious Top 10, giving him a golden opportunity at the ATP 500 in Basel to break that barrier with just 20 and one season as a professional.

In these 10 months of 2026, Jódar has managed to win his first ATP title (Marrakech), reached the quarter-finals in a Grand Slam (Roland Garros), reached a Masters 1000 final (Shanghai), and another in an ATP 500 (Washington). A whole series of milestones that have been reflected in the world ranking.

These are the scenarios Jódar needs to emerge from Basel as a Top 10 player

In fact, in this week's provisional ranking, he currently stands as the ninth with 3,159 points. However, there are four players who could dethrone him, as he is being chased by Alex de Miñaur with 3,130 points, Novak Djokovic with 3,090 points, Taylor Fritz with 2,895 points, and Tommy Paul with 2,685 points.

Even so, the latter can be ruled out of the competition with a victory by the Madrid player in his debut at the ATP in Basel. However, he will have to sweat a bit more with the other three. To remove Fritz from contention, he must reach the final of the tournament in Switzerland, while to end the battle this week with the Australian and the Serbian he must achieve better results than both. However, if one of the two fails to do so, Jódar would be the new member of the Top 10 next Monday, November 2. Meanwhile, the fact that Jódar lifts the title next Sunday in Basel would also eliminate any chance for Djokovic and De Miñaur.

First time in Basel for Rafa and he's already made a few hundred friends. Autographs and photos for everyone at the St. Jakobshalle before his opener against Tabilo 👀 📸 Swiss Indoors Basel https://t.co/Im9rK0ViKc

— Rafa Jódar Fans (@rafajodarr) October 25, 2026

But this is not the only race Jódar is involved in this week, as he is also fiercely competing to secure a spot in the ATP Finals, something that also looks favorable after his final in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai. Currently, in the ATP Race, he appears in ninth place with 3,159 points, but he would still be included since Jannik Sinner will not participate due to injury. Therefore, he is occupying the last spot.

However, he also has De Miñaur and Djokovic as dance partners, but with a bit more distance, at 2,880 and 2,840 points respectively. Additionally, he is also close to snatching the eighth position from Frances Tiafoe, who is only 221 points ahead.

Thus, the ATP in Basel seems more decisive than it appears. Although Rafael Jódar still has the Masters 1000 in Paris as a remaining chance to achieve his two individual goals for this final stretch of the season: enter the Top 10 and the ATP Finals.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Qué necesita Jódar para entrar en el Top 10 por primera vez esta semana?