Former world No 1 urges Rafael Jodar to hire top coach despite meteoric rise with his father
Rafael Jodar has been urged to get another coach to work alongside his father, despite the Spaniard’s rapid rise up the rankings.
Since the turn of the year, the 19-year-old has shot up from 168th in the world to being on the cusp of the top 10.
The teenager won his first ATP Tour title in April in Morocco, alongside impressive quarter-final runs in Madrid, Rome and the French Open.
Jodar, who also made it to the last four in Montreal and was a runner-up in Washington this summer, is 11th in the rankings and seventh in the race to Turin.
And despite his meteoric ascent, former world No 1 women’s doubles player Rennae Stubbs believes that the youngster could do with another experienced head in his corner.
More ATP Tour News
Nick Kyrgios: Former Wimbledon finalist’s five biggest controversies after failed drug test
Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune may have alternative US Open comeback plan
Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.
Jodar and his father deserve huge credit for making it to this point but the Australian feels that a top coach may be able to take him to the next level.
Indeed, Serena Williams’ coach suggested a certain Spaniard who has been out of work since leaving Carlos Alcaraz‘s entourage last December.
Stubbs said on the latest episode of her podcast, “He [Jodar] was lovely, a delight to talk to, he answered the questions really in-depth. He was great with the fans.
“I do think there’s a little snippety or snickety [side to him], [he’s a] bit punchy sometimes on the court. But he’s 19; he’s learning to deal with these pressures now.”
She continued, “Maybe someone to add… Juan Carlos Ferrero. Somebody that can add that extra layer of how to emotionally handle the semi-final and the final. How to deal with the press.”
Stubbs added that his dad has done a “great job” and is a “lovely human being” but taking that next step towards winning the biggest titles will be no easy task.
For the time being, though, Jodar is doing very little wrong. The world No 11 is hoping for another deep run, this time at Cincinnati, as he prepares for his first US Open.
Incidentally, Ferrero – who was Alcaraz’s coach for six of his seven Grand Slam triumphs – opened the door to working with five-time major winner and world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the future.
Back in June, the former French Open champion admitted it would be “beautiful” to coach the Italian and that he likes the 25-year-old’s attitude. It remains to be seen if such a partnership will take place, with Sinner or Jodar.
READ MORE: ‘I don’t think Rafael Jodar can improve like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz’
