Rafael Jodar has become the first man to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in the same year he made his tour-level debut, clinching the final spot in the eight-man field for the tournament starting November 15 in Turin.
Jodar’s journey to the Inalpi Arena began at the University of Virginia, where he was named ITA National Rookie of the Year. After turning professional on December 31, 2025, he began the 2026 season ranked No. 168.
His breakout year saw him break into the top 100 in March and the top 50 in April. His first ATP title came in Marrakech in April, where he defeated Marco Trungelliti 6-3, 6-2. By the time the Paris Masters concluded, Jodar had secured the eighth and final spot.
Groups are set 🔒 Who are you backing to make it out of their group? #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/ED1swBDUGw
The 2026 Nitto ATP Finals will proceed without two of the sport’s most dominant figures. Novak Djokovic, who owns a record seven titles at the season finale, will miss the event following a campaign that ended in Paris. Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner is sidelined due to a knee injury. Their absence leaves the door open for a new champion to be crowned.
The tournament, running from November 15–22, features four debutants: Jodar, Cobolli, Fils, and Tiafoe. Arthur Fils holds the distinction of being the first Frenchman to compete in the season finale since Gael Monfils in 2016. Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli is the fourth active Italian to play on home soil in the season finale.
For the first time since 2015, two Spaniards—Alcaraz and Jodar—have directly qualified for the event. The competition also highlights a resurgence of college tennis talent, with former University of Virginia standout Jodar and University of Florida product Ben Shelton both securing spots, the first time two former college tennis players have qualified for the same edition since 2018.
With the groups announced, the John McEnroe Group and the Ivan Lendl Group were unveiled on Thursday. Carlos Alcaraz was placed in the Ivan Lendl group alongside Frances Tiafoe, Flavio Cobolli, and Daniil Medvedev.
Alcaraz enters the tournament in high-level form, having recently won titles in Vienna and the Paris Masters. His preparation was hampered earlier in the year by a wrist injury that sidelined him for more than four months, but he has since rediscovered the form that helped him end the previous year at No. 1.
The 2026 #NittoATPFinals groups are set! 🚨 Who advances into the semi-finals? 👇 pic.twitter.com/ifiX6TbrIy
Zverev, who won the Finals in 2018 and 2021, is looking to cement his position as the world’s top-ranked player. He enters the event having posted a 3-9 mark against top-10 opposition in 2026, a statistic he will look to improve upon in Turin.
Reflecting on his rapid rise, Jodar expressed a grounded perspective. “Winning in Marrakech was very special for me… The week went very well for me and winning my first ATP title meant a lot,” he told ATPTour.com.
“I have been able to go match by match, tournament by tournament… I think that is the most important thing on my first year on Tour,” Jodar told ATPTour.com.
“It has been a great year. I am very happy with how the season is going for me… I have improved a lot and played against many top players,” Jodar told ATPTour.com.
Players will compete for large prize pools in Turin. Each participant receives a $338,000 fee, with a win in the group stage earning $405,000. The tournament winner will receive a check for $2.41 million.