From econ class to Paris: The UVA bond behind Rafael Jódar’s historic French Open run

June 2, 2026
Collage of tennis match photos of UVA student Nick Chung, including a player in action and fans courtside.

UVA student Nick Chung supports fellow Wahoo Rafael Jódar during the professional tennis player’s run at the French Open. Jódar and Chung were classmates on Grounds in the fall. (Virginia Athletics and contributed photos; illustration by Johnny Utterback, University Communications)

Wearing a University of Virginia shirt and waving a UVA flag, Nick Chung stood out among the crowd at Court Simonne-Mathieu during a third-round French Open match. 

Little did Chung know his outfit would be a target for celebration. 

Chung is a rising second-year student at UVA with a now-famous friend and former classmate. It was only in the fall when Rafael Jódar, the 19-year-old who made a historic run to the French Open quarterfinals this week in Paris, was on Grounds and working through an economics course with Chung. 

One day, before class began, Chung, a member of the UVA club tennis team, pulled out his phone to check in on the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Jódar, then a star player for the Cavalier varsity team, was naturally drawn to the coverage. 

Discovery and Innovation: Daily research. Life-changing results.
Discovery and Innovation: Daily research. Life-changing results.

“Who’s winning?” Jódar asked Chung.

A tennis-rooted bond was formed, and, Chung said, “We’ve been good buddies ever since.”

The two reunited last week as Chung and his father, David, a UVA School of Law alumnus, traveled to Paris to support Jódar at the French Open. After the Spaniard won his third-round match on Friday, a marathon five-set affair over American Alex Michelsen, Jódar ran directly to the Wahoo-clad Chung in the first row of seats. 

A French Open photographer, as well as the event broadcast, captured the interaction.

“That was unreal,” Chung said. “I was happy enough to go see him in person and win the match, but I think that moment really topped it off.

“I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life.”

Jódar, the 2025 National and Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year who turned pro in December, has climbed from No. 150 to a top 30 world ranking in five months. He’s only the sixth men’s player since 2000 to reach the French Open quarterfinals in his debut, a feat he accomplished Sunday morning after Chung returned home to Arlington.

“After he won, we were stoked,” Chung said of Jódar’s fourth-round, five-set victory over Pablo Carreño Busta. “I sent him a video of our reaction. I’m just trying to still show my support in any way I can.”

Jódar’s run ended in three sets Tuesday to second-seeded Alexander Zverev, but he appears to be on a superstar trajectory in the sport. Tennis legend and broadcaster John McEnroe said Tuesday, “You have a strong feeling Jódar’s going to be winning some (Grand Slam tournaments). The question is, when? Could it be this year?”

Jódar holding a Virginia Cavaliers flag and speaking with his friend Chung.

Jódar is proud to be from UVA, where he met Chung in an economics course. The two, as seen here in Paris, remain good friends. (Contributed photos)

Jódar is the first Cavalier to advance to a men’s singles quarterfinal at a Grand Slam. The next event of that magnitude, the Wimbledon Championships, begins June 29. 

Chung is eager to keep following along. He and his friend not only share a love for tennis, but a love for their school. 

“I think the main thing I took away from our time together was how much he was appreciative of UVA,” Chung said. “He kept emphasizing, ‘I wouldn’t be in the place that I am without UVA.’

“And I think that’s pretty awesome. That’s just the kind of person he is, too. I think it really speaks a lot about him.”

Media Contacts

Andrew Ramspacher

University News Senior Associate University Communications

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