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Return

Court map of where Jódar's first-serve returns landed in 2026. 32% land deep (tour 26%, top 20 29%) and he wins 62% of those points (tour 53%). 63% of his returns go in (tour 65%), at an average of 70 mph against 63 mph for the tour and 65 mph for the top 20.

Rafa Jódar's first-serve return

Jódar’s return is finally getting more attention but it’s worth looking at why.

August 2026

Scatter plot of first-serve returns in play against first-serve return points won for the ATP top 20 plus Jodar, Fils and Fonseca. Sinner and Alcaraz win 35% while getting 68–69% back in play; Jodar also wins 35% from 64% in; Shelton is lowest at 24% won from 61% in. Tour averages are 65% in and 28% won.

First-serve returns: in vs won

1st serve returns in play vs 1st serve return win rate 2025-2026. Top 20 + Jodar, Fils, Fonseca

June 2026

Bar chart of the share of returns hit with topspin rather than slice or block for the ATP top 20, sorted by topspin share; the tour average is 84% topspin. Sinner hits 95% topspin; Bublik slices or blocks the most at 32%, followed by Musetti at 29% and Ruud at 22%.

The block return

The block return is pretty rare at the top of the men's game these days.

February 2026