Submitted photo: Brian Rasmussen (left) stands with Rafael Jodar and Carlos Alcaraz after a practice session recently during the Australian Open. Alcaraz is the No. 1 player in the world.

MELBOURNE, Australia — While most people were fast asleep in Iowa this past week, a former Fort Dodge Senior High tennis standout was hard at work in “The Land Down Under.”

Brian Rasmussen, a 2009 FDSH graduate, served as the head coach for rising men’s tennis phenom Rafael Jodar as he competed in the 2026 Australian Open. Rasmussen is currently an assistant coach at the University of Virginia.

One of the four grand slams in the men’s and women’s seasons, the Australian Open is a 15-day long event that brings together the best of the best from the sport — led by top-ranked players Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

Jodar, the 2025 ITA National Freshman of the Year and reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, qualified for the Australian Open main draw. He is ranked No. 150 in the world after turning pro in late December.

Following a first round five-set win in a thriller over Rei Sakamoto, Jodar was eliminated from the tournament by Jakub Mensik, the No. 16 seed in the draw.

“I’m still without words (in regards to Jodar’s performance),” Rasmussen said. “We had to enter through qualifying, so we needed three wins to reach the main draw. Then in the main draw, we faced another top 20-and-under player in the world (in Sakamoto). Rafa go up two sets, but we knew it was going to be an absolute battle.

“I think it was really, really special that he played five sets and came out on top against such an amazing opponent in his first slam main draw. It was incredible to be in the moment with Rafa, and truly one of the best moments of my career to see him come through.”

Rasmussen was promoted in 2023 to his current role as an assistant with the Cavaliers, working under head coach Andres Pedroso. The former Dodger standout also coached at Valdosta State after concluding his playing days with Wartburg College in 2013.

In 2015, Rasmussen spent nearly two years on Matija Pecotic’s ATP team, getting an early look at the men’s tour. The decision to help Jodar through turning pro started back early in the school year.

“Andres and I had been talking back in August about how we would blend Rafa’s professional schedule, school and his collegiate schedule during the fall,” Rasmussen said. “I knew with Rafa’s ability that there was a real possibility he would earn his way into the Australian Open qualifying. I think when I told him that I would take him to Australia, it was motivating for Rafa.

“We have done seven professional tournaments together now, and it really is one of the biggest blessings to see him reach these ‘firsts’ of his career. He went on to win two professional titles this fall and his ranking was high enough, so I think it was a no-brainer that I would join him for one final push and kind of get to be that liaison between an amazing college career to becoming one of the best big tennis stars on the ATP Tour.”

The trip also served as a first for Rasmussen. The Australian Open is the only grand slam that Virginia does not visit for recruiting purposes.

“Honestly, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for a number of reasons,” he said. “It’s a huge blessing to be here with some former players of mine and see them doing well. I also think adding the layer of being the head coach for this trip made for a level of nerves that I needed to learn to deal with.

“Fortunately, we played a lead-up event and won a lot of matches, so I felt by the time I was in Melbourne, that we belonged on this stage.”

Rasmussen will now to the U.S. and rejoin the Cavaliers as they look for another national championship later this spring instead of staying on the road to coach Jodar.

“When I first go into this career 10 years ago, I met my wife (Becca) as I started coaching on the ATP Tour,” he said. “I quickly fell more in love with her than I did this sport that has brought me so much.

“For that reason, and my two — and soon-to-be three — beautiful children, I can’t commit to the type of travel needs that Rafa will require.”

Virginia just recently knocked off both second-ranked Texas and No. 3 TCU. The NCAA Championships begin May 1.

The Cavaliers won the NCAA title in both 2022 and ’23, giving them six crowns all-time with two more runner-up finishes.