Rafael Jódar’s first US Open match was postponed by rain in New York. The Spaniard, now seeded 12th, will play Yunchaokete Bu today. His rapid rise in the ATP rankings has drawn attention across Spain.
Rain in New York forced Rafael Jódar to wait for his US Open debut. The 19-year-old from Spain, who climbed from ATP No. 707 to No. 13 in just a year, now has to adjust his routine for a rescheduled match against China’s Yunchaokete Bu, ranked 124th.
The match was originally set for Tuesday but moved to Wednesday after hours of rain disrupted the schedule. Jódar’s current world ranking at No. 13 is confirmed by sources like the Laver Cup and ATP rankings.
Jódar’s match was set for Court 17, not before 12:30 p.m. New York time on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after a day of weather-induced chaos at the US Open.
The delay comes at a busy time for Jódar, who enters the tournament as the 12th seed and carries high expectations from Spanish fans. His last year has been packed: second round at the Australian Open, quarterfinals at Roland Garros, third round at Wimbledon, a final in Washington, a semifinal in Canada, and a round of 16 in Cincinnati. The US Open completes his first appearance at all four Grand Slams.
Today’s match is scheduled for 19:10 (Spanish peninsular time) on Stadium-17 at Flushing Meadows and will be broadcast live on Movistar Plus+. Bu, who made the main draw as a ‘lucky loser’ after Kokkinakis withdrew with an injury, trains in Alicante. The draw gives Jódar a relatively open path in the early rounds, with top players like Álex de Miñaur, Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Taylor Fritz, and Jabuk Mensik only possible from the round of 16. A match against Carlos Alcaraz would only happen in the final.
Jódar’s return to New York is notable. Two years ago, he won the US Open junior title here. At 1.91 meters tall and with an aggressive baseline game, he’s already being compared to past Spanish champions, though his rise has been even faster. The Spanish tennis community is watching closely, knowing a strong run could establish him as Spain’s next big contender.
The US Open organizers were forced to reschedule and even cancel several matches due to the persistent rain, creating widespread disruption and uncertainty for players and fans throughout the tournament day.
Weather delays are nothing new at the US Open, but this year’s interruptions have made things more unpredictable for everyone involved. Long waits can disrupt routines and affect how players feel physically and mentally. As recent weather alerts in Spain have shown, unpredictable conditions can affect sports on both sides of the Atlantic.
Jódar’s story shows how quickly things can change in tennis. From junior champion to seeded Grand Slam player in less than two years, his progress is a mix of talent and hard work. The draw in New York brings both opportunity and pressure. Spanish fans expect results, and the tennis world is watching to see if Jódar can deliver on the big stage. If he gets through the early rounds, tougher matches await. For now, all eyes are on Flushing Meadows as Jódar finally gets his chance after the rain.
