Jude Bellingham joins Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and Thibaut Courtois for game of tennis

Lewis Henderson
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:34:53 +0000

Jude Bellingham joined up with Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and Thibaut Courtois for a game of tennis on the clay courts used for the Madrid Open.

The Galactico partnered up with Sinner for a doubles rally against Nadal and Courtois.

The umpire for the game, who sat in the high chair, was Real Madrid's Club President Florentino Perez, to complete the sports crossover.

Bellingham was in attendance to watch up-and-coming star Rafael Jodar, who is making big waves in men's tennis.

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Jodar announced himself on the main stage with a thrilling comeback triumph at the Madrid Open.

The 19-year-old, making his first appearance at his home city's prestigious tournament, recovered from losing the opening set to overcome Dutch opponent Jesper de Jong 2-6 7-5 6-4.

Playing in the Manolo Santana stadium, Jodar acknowledged early nerves contributed to too many unforced errors in the first set.

However, the teenager dug deep to turn the contest around, sealing victory with a powerful forehand winner that sent the home crowd into raptures.

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Jodar said: "It was a great match. Many people that I know came to watch my match, so it was really special to see them in the stands.

"I'm super grateful for all the people that came to support me. The match didn't start the way I wanted, but I think I did a good job trying to bounce back in the second set when I had the chance.

"This win is also thanks to all the people who were cheering for me from the first until the last point."

The Spanish teenager, a devoted Real Madrid supporter, had no idea Bellingham would be watching his match.

He said: "It was for me a surprise, I had no idea, but then I had the chance to talk to him.

"He's a great person. I also had the opportunity to meet him two years ago when I won the US Open juniors, they invited me to the stadium and to meet the players.

"They are all great people. I'm super grateful that he came to support me and to watch some tennis. He's a role model for me."

Upon clinching victory, Jodar turned towards Bellingham and mimicked the footballer's famous goal celebration with arms outstretched, before scrawling "Hey Jude" on the courtside camera lens.

The pair met backstage following the match at the venue where Jodar watched tennis as a youngster.

Jodar's Madrid breakthrough caps a remarkable 2026 campaign that has seen him surge up the world rankings.

At the start of the season, the Spaniard languished outside the top 160, but he now occupies 42nd position following a title triumph in Marrakech and a last-four finish in Barcelona the previous week.

His fighting spirit, he explained, stems from watching Nadal throughout his childhood, instilling a determination to compete until the final point.

Two years on from Nadal's last Madrid appearance, supporters inside the Caja Magica revived chants of "Vamos Rafa" for their new homegrown hero.