#NextGenATP star grew up training at the Rafa Nadal Academy

A message from one of tennis’ all-time greats capped a breakout run for Martin Landaluce at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Rafael Nadal praised the 20-year-old following his last-eight showing at Hard Rock Stadium.

Landaluce’s journey to his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final marked a stunning leap for the Spaniard, who had arrived in Miami with just two tour-level wins — and none in 2026. Yet the #NextGenATP star pieced together a dazzling campaign that announced his arrival.

“Congratulations,” the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Nadal wrote in a social media post in Spanish. “Great tournament. On to the next challenges.”

Landaluce grew up training at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where he developed his game before capturing the US Open boys’ title aged 16 in 2022. He continued that upward trajectory in 2025 by competing at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

Among the highlights of Landaluce’s Miami run were statement victories over Top 20 opponents Luciano Darderi and Karen Khachanov, as well as a fourth-round win against Sebastian Korda, during which he saved a match point. Landaluce has risen 46 spots to a new career-high No. 105 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

Landaluce is a multiple-time qualifier for the PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator, which provides additional playing opportunities for the best up-and-coming players across junior, college or traditional pathways.

Now, with a Masters 1000 quarter-final under his belt and recognition from one of his country’s greatest players, Landaluce’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. As Nadal’s message suggests, the Spaniard is hoping his Miami run is just the start of something bigger.