Alexander Blockx breaks into the Top 100 after winning Challenger | ATP tour | Tennis

Challenger

Blockx breaks ‘Top 100 babyyyy’ after Challenger victory

In the first appearance since the Next Gen ATP Finals, presented by runner-up PIF, Belgian wins the title
January 12, 2026

Alexander Blockx has started the 2026 season in a memorable way. The Belgian, who was a finalist at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December, built on that momentum to win the Workday Canberra International, an ATP Challenger 125 event, on Sunday.

By triumphing in Canberra, Blockx made his Top 100 debut in Monday’s PIF ATP rankings. The 20-year-old defeated fellow 2025 Jeddah competitor Rafael Jodar 6-4, 6-4 in the final, a thrilling clash between two emerging talents. Trailing 1-4 in the second set, Blockx scored five consecutive games to win his fourth Challenger trophy in his career.

☝️first title of 2026 for Alex Blockx ‼️#ATPCchallenger pic.twitter.com/kZZSeiNwYo

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) January 10, 2026

“Top 100 babyyyy⚡️,” Blockx wrote excitedly in one Instagram post. “Happy to start the year with a new title.”

The 19-year-old Jodar won three Challenger titles in 2025 and announced his decision to turn pro on New Year’s Eve, waiving his remaining eligibility at the University of Virginia. The teenager is ranked 150th in his career after his deep run in qualifying in Canberra.

Gea wins first Challenger crown
Frenchman Arthur Gea claimed his first Challenger title at the BNC TENNIS OPEN in New Caledonia, where the 21-year-old defeated Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in the final. After winning four titles on the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour in 2025, Gea’s latest milestone has helped him climb to career No. 197.

^{Arthur Gea at the Noumea Challenger. Credit: BNC Tennis Open}

Martinez returns to the winner’s circle
Former world number 36 Pedro Martinez dropped just one set all week to win the Dafa News Bengaluru Open in India. The top-seeded Spaniard defeated Timofey Skatov of Kazakhstan 7-6(5), 6-3 in the championship match. Martinez is an eight-time Challenger champion.

Noguchi defends the Thai title
Japan’s Rio Noguchi successfully defended his title at the Bangkok Open, where he defeated Czech Marek Gengel 6-3, 6-4 in the final. Noguchi’s two Challenger trophies have both arrived in Thailand. Top seeded in the second leg of a two-week stay in Thailand, Noguchi will be looking to add to those title wins.

^{Rio Noguchi wins the Bangkok Open. Credit: The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand}

Chidekh survives the decisive tiebreak and wins Nottingham
Clement Chidekh earned his third Challenger trophy in as many years with victory in the Lexus Nottingham Challenger in Great Britain. The 24-year-old Chidekh, seeded second, rallied from a set down in the final to escape top seed Johannus 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5) after two hours and 46 minutes on Monday. Both Chidekh and Monday played collegiate tennis. Chidekh played at the University of Washington and competed at the University of Tennessee on Monday at age 23.