SEPT 25 - 27, 2026 | LONDON
Casper Ruud and Brandon Nakashima each pulled through Laver Breakers; Londoners got an up-close view of the future of the sport in 20-year-old Rafael Jodar; and Carlos Alcaraz/Jakub Mensik capped a thrilling Day 1 in victorious fashion on the doubles court at The O2.
When it was all said and done, Team Europe held a 3-1 lead and some much-valued momentum on home turf.
Making his Laver Cup debut in Team Europe blue, a poised and powerful Jodar raced past fellow first-timer Alexander Bublik of Team World in one hour and 24 minutes, 6-2, 6-3. He converted four of his nine break-point chances, and won 81 percent (21 for 26) of his first-serve points.
“I knew it was going to be a very tough match. Always playing your first matches at events is difficult, but I think I handled the important and difficult situations very well,” said Jodar, who’s coached by his namesake father. “I played against a very tough opponent who played great tennis as well, but I think in the important points I played better today.”
A shoelace malfunction and all, Jodar broke for 4-2 in the opener, and 2-love in the second set to distance himself. Bublik simply couldn’t find an answer for the former University of Virginia standout and 2025 ITA National Rookie of the Year, who earlier this year captured his maiden tour-level title on clay in Marrakech.
“I think the first four or five games really helped me to get used to the court,” explained Jodar. “I had already practiced on this court for a few days, but playing practice sets and matches are totally different. I think these first games lasted 30 minutes. That really helped me to get used to the court and to get into more of a rhythm.”
The Spaniard Jodar, who’s shot up from No. 306 to No. 14 in the PIF ATP Rankings in the matter of a single calendar year, has had eyeballs on him from the moment he captured the US Open boys’ singles title in 2024. But he insists the outsized expectations aren’t clouding his focus.
“My main goal is to improve, to get better,” he said. “It is my first year on tour, so I still have a lot of things to improve. I can be a better player. I have always been a person who has worked really hard. I worked a lot to get to where I am now. I think it’s a good situation, but at the same time, I want more. My goal is to keep improving, keep enjoying the game, and keep enjoying opportunities like this, a team event like the Laver Cup here in London.”
Bublik, the first Kazakhstani player in Laver Cup history, pulled a double shift on Friday, heading right back out for doubles alongside Taylor Fritz against the Team Europe duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik. But Bublik was once again denied: Alcaraz and Mensik took the match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in one hour and 27 minutes.
Chalk it up to the chemistry.
“With Carlos, it’s always about good energy,” said Mensik. “We complete each other pretty well on the court.”
“I feel the same way,” said Alcaraz. “Spending time on court with Jakub, it’s a great experience. I think we have great chemistry. We’re just 100 percent efficient when we team up. He’s a nice person off the court, as well. We have great laughs, and I think we translate that on the court.”
Captain Yannick Noah won’t get too far ahead of himself. Team Europe was in this same position in 2025 in San Francisco, only to surrender the Laver Cup on Day 3 to Andre Agassi and Team World, 15-9.
“It was a very interesting first day, a lot of emotions,” said Noah. “But the spirit in the team is very good. But I know that last year we were up 3-1 the first day, so now it’s time to go rest and get ready for a good, interesting weekend.”
