Spain
Daniel Merida
Rank63
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Toronto : August 1 - August 13, 2026Montreal : August 1 - August 13, 2026
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Toronto : August 1 - August 13, 2026
The week before Carlos Alcaraz played Jannik Sinner in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters, two of Alcaraz’s fellow Spaniards achieved im-portant milestones.
Rafael Jodar won his first title in Marrakech while Daniel Merida made his first final in Bucharest.
Now the duo, in Alcaraz’s absence due to injury, is helping to carry the torch for Spanish tennis.
Both have made the quarterfinals at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers and in Merida’s case, it represents his first quarterfinal at the Masters 1000 level.
“This is a dream come true,” said the 21-year-old after he beat Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets on Sunday. “I’m feeling really great playing here in Montreal. I'm happy with the level during all the week, and of course, so happy to be in the quarterfinals here.”
Tennis didn’t run in Merida’s family.
He told Spanish tennis website Punto de break that his dad played a little padel tennis and ran a motorcycle racing team.
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His dad wanted Merida to take up a sport they knew little about so chose tennis. Merida later began to watch tennis on TV, specifically Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
One of his most cherished moments, he told the website, was winning the gold medal at the 2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
He got to No. 15 on the world junior rankings, with his last junior win at a Grand Slam coming against Jakub Mensik, who also is in the quarterfinals in Montreal.
He is a friend and sometimes practice partner of Alcaraz’s and has known Jodar for around 15 years.
“Rafa is a really good guy outside of the court,” said Merida.
Merida began 2026 ranked just inside the Top 200 but a 35-17 record at all levels entering the NBO sent his ranking soaring.
He won his first ATP title in Umag last month, which boosted his confidence.
“I think more mentally, I started believing in myself a lot more,” he said. “The tennis was there. I was playing great for the last year and the beginning of this year. So, I just started to believe more in myself.”
Merida faces Learner Tien, 20, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Merida, Tien, Jodar and Mensik make it four players under 21 in the final eight.
“I think young players are hungry,” said Merida. “They came here 100 percent motivated, and it's what's happening right now.”
Photo: Tim Austen/Tennis Canada
