Rafa Jódar vs Thanasi Kokkinakis at the US Open 2026: Schedule, Court Assignment, and Broadcast Details
Rafael Jódar makes his main draw debut at the US Open on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, facing Australian veteran Thanasi Kokkinakis in the opening round at Flushing Meadows, according to tournament scheduling details. The match is slated for the third rotation on Court 17 in New York, with estimated start times set for local afternoon play and evening viewing across Europe.
For Jódar, a 19-year-old Spaniard from Leganés who turns 20 within a few weeks, the fixture marks his first appearance in the year’s final Grand Slam tournament. Operating on his debut professional campaign, Jódar enters the New York major seeded 12th after a remarkable breakthrough run that included a junior title at Flushing Meadows in 2024 and his first ATP tour-level trophy in Marrakech, as reported by Canal Tenis and Punto de Break.
Hard-Court Momentum and Opponent Context
Jódar arrives in New York following an extensive North American hard-court summer swing. Records show he played five matches in Washington to reach the final before falling to Taylor Fritz, advanced to the semifinals of the Montreal Masters 1000 where he was halted by Nakashima, and contested three matches in Cincinnati ahead of a comeback loss against Cobolli.
Across the net stands 30-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis. The Australian veteran enters the tournament utilizing a protected ranking of No. 385 in the world, having spent the majority of the season on the Challenger circuit while managing physical setbacks. Kokkinakis arrives in New York carrying lingering physical concerns from a grueling encounter against Borges in Cincinnati that featured heavy cramping and a late ankle twist, supplemented by comments to Punto de Break regarding shoulder and pectoral discomfort. Official tour statistics indicate no prior head-to-head matches between the two players on the professional circuit.
Match Schedule, Court Assignment, and Broadcast Information
The first-round match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2026, on Court 17 (designated as Estadio 17 in Spanish-language tournament coverage). Play on the court begins at 17:00 local Spanish time (16:00 in the Canary Islands) with Yulia Putintseva facing Belinda Bencic, followed by Paula Badosa against Daria Kasatkina around 18:30. The Jódar and Kokkinakis match follows as the third fixture on the court, with estimated start times around 20:00 or 21:00 in Spain (14:00 local time in New York, and 15:00 in Argentina), pending the duration of the preceding matches.
Television and streaming coverage options vary by region. In Spain, tournament broadcasts are available exclusively through Movistar Plus+, with streaming access provided via the Movistar Plus+ application. Viewers in Argentina, Peru, Chile, and across South America can follow the action via ESPN channels and Disney+ Premium. Additionally, streaming availability is listed via platforms such as Bet365 for eligible accounts, according to Punto de Break.
Draw Implications and Path Forward
Should Jódar advance past the opening round, his section of the men’s singles draw features notable openings following the late withdrawal of Casper Ruud, who had been a projected third-round opponent. The Spanish newcomer finds himself positioned among the notable names in his quadrant, with potential subsequent matchups pointing toward competitors such as Zizou Bergs or Alex de Miñaur as the tournament progresses toward the second week in New York.
Fans and analysts can follow live scoring updates and official tournament progress through the official US Open portal as the opening week continues.
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