Rafa eyes Queen's run in year of firsts

It has been a year of firsts for Spain's breakout teenage star Rafael Jodar.

A little over 12 months ago, the 19-year-old was outside the world's top 800. He had never played on the main ATP Tour or contested a match at a Grand Slam.

Now, he arrives at Queen's as the world number 23, fresh off a run to the French Open quarter-finals that was only halted by eventual champion Alexander Zverev.

The next stop in his debut season participating on the sport's biggest stages will be Wimbledon, where his namesake, Rafael Nadal, won two titles - including triumphing against rival Roger Federer in one of the greatest matches in history in the 2008 final.

Jodar has not played an ATP Tour-level match on grass or even visited London before, but he is excited for another round of firsts in his young career.

"When I was younger I could never imagine that I would one day be here," he told BBC Sport at Queen's.

"It's something that I will never forget, to play on grass.

"I haven't played much on it, but it's a surface I can do well on."

-BBC