ATP Tour
Journey to Jeddah: The dynamics behind Blockx’s rise & Nadal’s affect on Landaluce
Watch episode two of the brand new Journey to Jeddah sequence, which options Landaluce and Blockx
December 07, 2025
Measured, considerate and quietly pushed, Martin Landaluce carries the aura of a younger participant formed not solely by expertise however by the highly effective influences round him. Raised in Madrid earlier than relocating to Mallorca as a young person, the 19-year-old settled into life on the famend Rafa Nadal Academy, the setting for Episode 2 of the brand new Journey to Jeddah sequence. It’s right here, on these pristine courts, that a lot of his development has taken place.
A former US Open boys’ singles champion and now a two-time ATP Challenger Tour titlist, Landaluce credit a part of his progress to a singular apprenticeship few gamers his age expertise: coaching with Rafael Nadal himself.
“On this primary courtroom is the place I practised with [Nadal] a number of instances,” Landaluce stated, trying over the courts in Mallorca. “He destroyed me. He hits very exhausting when practising, very exhausting. However I had a good time.”
The mentorship didn’t finish on the baseline. His conversations with Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and long-time coach, typically stretched far past forehands and footwork.
“We discuss issues usually nobody asks you,” Landaluce stated. “However he doesn’t have a filter, so if he needs to ask you that he’s going to do it and I like that from him and I like him. It’s good to do this reflection.”
Household has additionally performed a defining position in Landaluce’s journey. His father, Alejandro, nonetheless competes on the ITF Seniors Tour, whereas each his siblings share the identical aggressive fireplace. Their unity was as soon as captured in a narrative virtually too unbelievable to consider.
“There’s a shaggy dog story that my dad, my sister, my brother and myself, we received the identical event in the identical week in numerous classes,” he recollects. “I believe that may be very, very troublesome and uncommon within the historical past of tennis.”
If Landaluce’s path has been formed by household and mentorship, Alexander Blockx’s story begins with sibling rivalry and the second a younger boy realised he needed to be on the courtroom, not simply watching from the facet.
“I used to sit down on the bench and watch so much, what my brother was doing,” the 20-year-old Belgian stated. “I really like competing as a result of I all the time tried to do higher than him. My coach requested me if I needed to attempt to at first I used to be a bit shy, after which finally I began hitting and it was so good and I had the sensation immediately.”
That early spark has developed right into a dynamic, forward-leaning type that powered Blockx to 2 ATP Challenger Tour titles this season and a spot on the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
“I’m fairly fast for my peak,” stated World No. 116 Blockx. “I can assault very well from my forehand. My serve has acquired so much higher and my backhand now I can assault with it. I believe the bottom line is to be as aggressive as you may in any other case you don’t have any probability to beat the perfect gamers.”
On the core of Blockx’s rise is without doubt one of the most enduring partnerships within the sport. Philippe Cassiers, his coach since childhood, has been guiding him for 16 years, a rarity within the trendy recreation.
“Now we have recognized one another for 16 years now. It’s uncommon to have such a protracted relationship in sport and generally,” Blockx stated. “It’s turning into extra like a household.”
Cassiers agreed: “It’s a lengthy, trusted relationship. We don’t want too many phrases or indicators to know the place we’re going. We’re having fun with the method.”
Watch Episode 2 of Journey to Jeddah now, and observe each Landaluce and Blockx as they take goal on the title on the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, held in Jeddah from 17–21 December.
