Bold statement: The true story of Landaluce and Blockx isn’t just about talent—it’s a map of how mentorship, family, and fierce self-belief shape tennis futures. But here’s where it gets controversial: should long, trusted coaching bonds be the exception in a sport that often favors fresh voices and new approaches?
Journey to Jeddah: Rafael Nadal’s influence on Landaluce & the coach relationship behind Blockx’s rise | ATP Tour | Tennis
ATP Tour
Watch episode two of the new Journey to Jeddah series, which features Landaluce and Blockx
December 07, 2025
ATP Tour
By ATP Staff
Measured, thoughtful, and quietly driven, Martin Landaluce carries the aura of a young player shaped not only by talent but by the powerful influences around him. Growing up in Madrid and moving to Mallorca as a teenager, the 19-year-old now trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy—the setting for Episode 2 of Journey to Jeddah. It’s on these pristine courts that much of his development occurs.
A former US Open boys’ singles champion and now a two-time ATP Challenger Tour titlist, Landaluce credits part of his progress to a rare apprenticeship for players his age: training directly with Rafael Nadal himself.
“On this first court is where I practised with Nadal several times,” Landaluce recalled, gazing over the Mallorca courts. “He blasted balls at me. He hits very hard in practice, very hard. But I had a great time.”
The mentorship didn’t end at the baseline. His conversations with Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and longtime coach, often extended far beyond forehands and footwork.
“We talk about things normally no one asks you,” Landaluce said. “But he has no filter, so if he wants to ask something, he’ll do it, and I respect that. It’s valuable to reflect.”
Family has also shaped Landaluce’s journey. His father, Alejandro, still competes on the ITF Seniors Tour, while both his siblings share the same competitive fire. Their unity is tied to a story that sounds almost unbelievable.
“There’s a funny story: my dad, my sister, my brother, and I won the same tournament in the same week in different categories,” he recalls. “That’s incredibly rare in tennis history.”
If Landaluce’s path has been guided by family and mentorship, Alexander Blockx’s story begins with sibling rivalry and a moment when a young boy realized he preferred being on the court rather than watching from the sidelines.
“I used to sit on the bench and watch my brother a lot,” the 20-year-old Belgian said. “I love competing, so I always tried to do better than him. My coach asked if I wanted to try, at first I was shy, then I started hitting, and it felt amazing.”
That initial spark has evolved into a bold, aggressive style that helped Blockx win two ATP Challenger Tour titles this season and earn a spot at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
“I’m pretty quick for my height,” said World No. 116 Blockx. “I can attack well from my forehand. My serve has improved a lot, and I can press with my backhand now. The key is to be as aggressive as possible; otherwise, there’s no chance against the best players.”
At the heart of Blockx’s ascent is one of the sport’s most enduring partnerships. Philippe Cassiers has guided him for 16 years—a rarity in modern tennis.
“We’ve known each other for 16 years now. It’s unusual to have such a long relationship in sport and in life,” Blockx said. “It’s becoming more like a family.”
Cassiers agreed: “It’s a long, trusted relationship. We don’t need many words or signals to know where we’re headed. We’re enjoying the process.”
Watch Episode 2 of Journey to Jeddah now, and follow both Landaluce and Blockx as they chase the title at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, held in Jeddah from December 17–21.
