Washington, D.C. — Taylor Fritz finally has a trophy to show for a season full of near-misses. Taylor Fritz won the Mubadala DC Open on Monday, battling past rising Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6(2), 6-4 to snap a run of three straight final losses and claim his first ATP title of 2026.

Mubadala DC Open Final: Fritz Survives a Scare from Jodar
The final, originally scheduled for Sunday, was pushed to Monday after rain hit the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center at Rock Creek Park. When play finally got underway, 19-year-old Jodar showed no signs of nerves in his first ATP 500 final, taking the opening set to a tiebreak and even holding match points before Fritz clawed his way back to close it out 7-6(2).
Fritz raised his level in the second set, breaking Jodar’s serve to close out the match 6-4 and seal an 11th ATP Tour singles title — but his first since well before the 2026 season began. It marked Fritz’s second win over Jodar this year, having also beaten him in straight sets earlier in February at the Delray Beach Open.
The Road to Fritz’s Washington Title
World No. 10 Fritz worked through a tough Washington draw, needing three sets to get past fellow American Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals after also grinding out wins over Alex Michelsen, Kamil Majchrzak, and Zizou Bergs earlier in the week.
Jodar’s run to the final was just as impressive. Ranked No. 24, the teenager knocked out Arthur Fils, former US Open champion Kei Nishikori, and fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti before edging Alejandro Tabilo in the semis. It was a breakout week for the #NextGenATP star, who came within a set — and a handful of match points — of a historic maiden ATP title.
What This DC Title Means for Fritz
Before Washington, 2026 had been a frustrating season for Fritz despite a strong overall win-loss record. He reached finals at the Dallas Open, Stuttgart Open, and Halle Open but came up short each time, twice losing to fellow American Ben Shelton and once to Frances Tiafoe. The Washington title finally ends that drought and gives Fritz momentum heading into the North American hard-court swing ahead of the US Open.
Looking Ahead to the US Open
For Jodar, Monday’s runner-up finish is still a major statement — proof that his rapid rise up the rankings is no fluke. Expect the Spaniard to be a factor on tour for years to come.
For Fritz, the Mubadala DC Open trophy is a timely confidence boost as the hard-court season heats up and the US Open approaches later this month.







