With Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by a wrist injury and retired legend Rafa Nadal relaxing on his boat off Mallorca, Spain has found a new Wimbledon contender in rising teenage star Rafael Jodar.
The 19-year-old made his main draw debut at the All England Club on Monday and looked immediately at home in his first professional match on a grass court as he eased to a 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 victory over British wildcard Felix Gill.
Facing a callow Spaniard in the first match on a lush Court Three might have been seen as an opportunity for 220th-ranked Gill to cause an upset against the 23rd seed.
But that never looked remotely likely as Jodar emulated two-time Wimbledon champions Alcaraz and Nadal by reaching the second round as a teenage debutant.
"It was a very tough match and Felix played very well," Jodar said on court. "I feel my game is very good on this surface even though I haven't played much on it, so I need to get used to it. That's why I came early to Wimbledon to have a few more days. Now it's on to the second match."
