Rafa Jódar: "The title will not change me; I will continue to be just as humble"

Jose Morón | 11 Apr 2026 | 13.24

Rafa Jódar: "The title will not change me; I will continue to be just as humble." Photo: Getty

Streaming W50 Portoroz live tennis

🎾 Amarissa Kiara Toth vs Tilwith Di Girolami

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Rafa Jódar arrives at the Conde de Godó in Barcelona in a position he wouldn't have expected at the beginning of the year. With an ATP title already under his belt and firmly positioned in the Top 100, with the assurance of his presence at Grand Slams this year, the Madrid native is eager to play in front of his home crowd at the two main tournaments in our country.

He receives a lot of attention at the Media Day, before his debut in the draw against another Spaniard, Jaume Munar. It will be Rafa's first time in Spain, looking forward to performing well in front of the Spanish audience and hoping to engage people in his story after the spectacular start to the 2026 season.

Welcome to Barcelona by Rafa Jódar

“Yes, I arrived this morning and I was very surprised by how close everyone is. From all over the world, in the end, I feel very comfortable here, and I think that closeness is one of the things that stands out in this tournament. I believe that not only I but also the players feel that way.”

About the challenge of the debut match against Munar

“I knew it could be a tough opponent. In this case, I will face Jaume. I don't really know how he plays because it's my first year on the circuit. But, well, I'll try to prepare well, have good training here, and try to perform at a good level in that match.”

Assessment of his week in Marrakech

“I knew it was my first tournament on clay, and the first matches are always tough. Well, that's how it turned out in the end. I felt better as the week went on. Once I defeated Machac in the third round, I started feeling very good.”

Advice to young players on University or pursuing a career in tournaments

“What I would tell them is that it's an option. There are people who have gone to college and have seen it as a year of learning and have done quite well. I think both options are good. In the circuit, some people decide to start their career when they finish in June, and others try to go to university. Both options are valid.”

About emotional management after winning the title:

“I don't work with a psychologist. All of that is something I handle in conversations I have with my family and my parents; in the end, I believe that's what determines who I am, right? And the values they have instilled in me since I was very young, well, I'm not going to change anything based on winning or not winning. I will always be the same person; equally humble. I am someone who loves tennis very much.”

Goals after his first title

“I don't have any specific goals. It remains the same as I set at the beginning of the season. This is my first year, and I see it as an opportunity, and I believe that, now, by winning a title, nothing has to change. I think things will come little by little, and what I want is to improve in each tournament, face new opponents, and develop on all three surfaces.”