Jódar is not afraid of anything: "I haven't changed, I am still in a process of improvement"

Carlos Navarro | 17 Apr 2026 | 20.25

Great Celebration of Jódar in Barcelona. Source: Getty

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Rafael Jódar continues to surprise everyone, raising his bar to unexpected levels until just a few months ago. The Madrid native has already reached the semifinals of the first ATP tournament he is playing on home soil, becoming the main attraction of the ATP Barcelona Open 2026 which eagerly anticipates big names like his.

His latest feat was once again defeating Cameron Norrie with the composure he previously showed in Acapulco, demonstrating mastery in a match he handled with the calm and poise that characterize him when facing the media. It wasn't any different in today's press conference, with a composed and analytical Rafa emphasizing that little has changed in his persona during this clay court tour, where he stands out as one of the key names to closely follow.

This is what Jódar said after defeating Norrie: analysis of his moment on clay

- Analysis of his victory against Cameron Norrie and his interaction with the crowd today

"It was a very tough match, Cameron makes things very challenging, but I managed the match moments very well and I'm very happy to be in the semifinals. I knew they were crucial points and whenever I won them, it's great to be applauded, to celebrate like that. I felt very welcomed today, playing in my country, which I hadn't done until now because it's my first ATP tournament here. When you see so many people, even familiar faces, coming to watch you... in the end, it's an extra satisfaction."

- Stepping up his game since his triumph in Marrakech, still winning... but he knows his truth

"In the end, I believe I haven't changed anything. I know I'm in an improvement process. I'm enhancing different aspects of my game that are helping me adapt very well to this surface, to clay. The beginning of the tour is going very well, but I know I have to continue like this in this tournament and the upcoming ones because there are still many clay tournaments ahead."

- Communication with his father in tough moments: does he usually rely on him or seek internal work?

"Yes, I seek him out. When you have someone, in this case your father, there in the box, I think it's a significant support. As you say, when things are not going so well, he always has a solution, and in the end, we connect very well, and as we know each other so well, because he's my father and we've known each other since I was very young, and he has always guided me, it's a very special connection. That means that when things aren't going well, I have that extra support."

- Does he watch tennis in his free time? Is there any player in particular he enjoys watching?

"Yes, I enjoy watching tennis. I have always watched tennis since I was very young. In the end, it's a sport that apart from practicing and playing, I really enjoy watching tennis. Well, it is true that in weeks when I'm not playing, not in any tournament, if there's a match that interests me, I try to watch it. However, in the end, I believe I need to continue on my path; if I see something I like from a player, then I can implement it in my game, but I try to focus on improving my own aspects, my game."

- About today's match schedule: he had been playing at 4PM, but the schedules and television moved him to 6PM

"I think if they put that match (Musetti vs. Fils) it's more for television purposes; if they chose that match, they have their reasons. There are things you have to adapt to, and this is one of them. I was doing well playing at four, as it will be tomorrow, or playing the match later; in the end, you have to adapt a bit."

- Next stop: Arthur Fils

"Yes, I know it's going to be a very tough match. If he's in the semifinals here in Barcelona, it's because he's been doing things very well, playing very good matches, so what I need to do is bring my best level, prepare for it as best as possible, and then we'll see what happens in the match."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar no tiene miedo a nada: "No he cambiado, sigo en un proceso de mejoría"