Rafael Jodar Family & Girlfriend History: His Dad Is a Tennis Coach
Rafael Jodar has generated headlines at the French Open 2026 and not only for his play. He was involved in a controversy over whether he shoved a ball girl, but he denied the accusation, and video appears to exonerate him.
As he advances through round after round at the tournament, that has some fans wondering about his family and girlfriend history. Is he dating anyone? What's his biography? It appears that Jodar is single, or he keeps any girlfriend history private. Unlike other tennis players, such as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, he doesn't have a girlfriend or wife front and center in the stands. Jodar's rise in professional tennis rankings has been described as "meteoric."
Rafa Jodar's Instagram page is focused on his tennis career and is silent about any girlfriend or relationship. Of course, the Spanish tennis phenom, who is currently ranked 29th in the world, is only 19 years old. However, his father is prominently visible in his life.
Rafael Jodar's Father Is a Tennis Coach Who 'Guided' His Career
According to The New York Times, Jodar's dad, also named Rafael, was instrumental in his success. The father is "a women's basketball coach, physiotherapist and now a largely self-taught tennis coach, who has guided his son," The Times reported.
At one recent match, the father "sat stoic and alone - no hometown entourage in sight - in the courtside players' box. Even when the match tightened, he was mostly still and silent," The Times reported.
"He wants Rafa to have adversity," Brian Rasmussen, the assistant coach for the men's team at Virginia, told The Times. "He wants his son to work through these things."
Rafael Jodar Says He Was Speaking to His Dad When the Ball Girl Fell
According to People, Jodar denied pushing the ball girl.
"No, I didn't touch her. I mean, I would never do that," Jodar said in a press conference. "She was walking backwards… I didn't push her or anything. I was saying to my dad to give me the things he was going to give me after my toilet break when I was coming back."
He added: "But yes, she was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way going backwards. But I think she fell, not because I pushed her, but because it was something… the cover, was right behind her."
Rafa Jodar's Bio Says His Parents Are His 'Heroes'
Jodar has called his parents his heroes, according to his ATP Tour bio, which reads, "Started playing tennis at home when he was 4. Since then, he has liked the sport. Enjoys playing and watching tennis a lot and usually practices at his tennis club in Madrid. Says his parents are his heroes."
The bio also gives tidbits about his life, revealing, "Says his secret talent is his music taste, and Coldplay is his favorite band. Says his best quality is playing soccer, and his worst quality is cooking. Favorite school subject is Math. Hobby is playing chess. Enjoys Spanish food."
The bio adds, "Favourite movie is Pirates of the Caribbean and actor is Johnny Depp. Favourite TV show is Outer Banks and book is Harry Potter."
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 9:29 AM.