Jódar aims for his great goal: "The key is to continue with the consistency that I have shown in recent months"

Carlos Navarro | 20 Apr 2026 | 14.45

How does Rafa Jódar face the Mutua Madrid Open? He confesses it himself. Source: Getty

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Rafa Jódar arrives at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 as a prophet in his own land. The spotlight is starting to shine brightly on a young man who, despite being only 19 years old, shows an unreal maturity in every statement, in every attitude in an important match, in every encounter with the harsh reality of a circuit that offers no respite. Champion in Marrakech, semifinalist in the ATP Barcelona Open 2026... and now, making his first appearance in the main draw at his home tournament, where he admitted to attending since he was a child and even being a sparring partner with the best players a couple of years ago.

Life has passed by very quickly for a Jódar who does not emerge from his shell of strength, composure, and understanding that only constant improvement and evolution can allow him to leave his mark on the tournament. Who would have told the boy from Leganés that he would become one of the major attractions and headliners of a Masters 1000 event in just seven months, a rapid progression that he reflects upon in the press conference prior to competing in his home tournament.

Jódar reveals his upcoming goals and the excitement of playing at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026

- Handling pressure and mental strength, taking care of mental health

"I try to manage it the same way I have done since I was little. I have always been a very calm person, both on and off the court. I know that there will be moments where things won't go as well as they have in these recent tournaments, but I believe that in those moments is where mental strength is tested, and I think those moments will also make me very strong."

- After so many matches, perhaps more than expected, how do you feel physically and mentally heading into the Mutua Madrid Open?

"I feel very good, eager to start this tournament in Madrid. Now I have a few days of training, and on Wednesday or Thursday, I will start my journey in the main draw. I will try to do my best, give my best possible level on that day, and do the best I can."

- Playing at home: he grew up and developed his tennis skills in Madrid

"It's a tremendous joy to be able to play in this tournament that I used to come to watch as a spectator when I was little, even two or three years ago when I came as a sparring partner. I'm very excited to start this tournament; I know there will be many familiar faces coming to watch me. I'll try to do my best and enjoy it above all."

- About the possibility of playing on the Manolo Santana court, the Central Court of the Caja Mágica, and how much he would like to experience that

"I think that's more of a decision of the organization; it depends on whether they place me there or on another court. I will try to adapt to the conditions of the court where the organization assigns me to play. If it's the Manolo Santana court, I'll try to enjoy it to the fullest. If not and it's on another court, I'll try to give my best and also enjoy it a lot."

- Possible ranking objectives by the end of the season

"I have never set a ranking objective; I think I have to take it tournament by tournament. It's still my first year on the tour, I believe I'm still a young player, and I'm discovering many things in these tournaments because everything is new to me, completely. In other words, I think gaining experience in these tournaments, playing against these types of players, will give me a lot of experience for the future. I don't set any objectives, just go tournament by tournament and try to do my best."

- Area of his tennis where he believes he has the most room for improvement

"I think there is still a considerable room for improvement in all areas of my game. In the end, I think if you want to compete against the best players in the world, you have to be a very complete player on all surfaces. Trying to adapt well to all surfaces and maintaining the consistency I have shown in recent months, that's the key."

- If three months ago someone had told you that you would achieve an ATP title, semifinals at the Barcelona Open, and make the main draw of the Mutua Madrid Open... would you have believed it?

"I knew in the end that I was doing things right. These past few months have been very fast for me; I have played many matches, but I can't say I would have imagined it. I'm very happy with how the clay court season has started for me. I know I have played many matches, which gives me a lot of confidence to face this tournament in Madrid, but I know and am aware that this tournament in Madrid has conditions completely different from the other two tournaments I have previously played on this surface. I have to try to adapt as best as possible and do my best."

- Young figures like Alcaraz who are successful: pressure or motivation?

"No, in the end, I see it a bit more as motivation. I don't put any pressure or set any objectives, as I mentioned before. I try to do my best, follow my path. I know I still have many years on the tour if my body allows it; I know I'm a young player and if I want to be on the tour for many years, I have to take care of my body and improve physically."

- Result that would bring him the most joy when playing at home

"I will take it match by match. I have a very tough and challenging match in the first round. The goal is to take each match as it comes, approach the first match as if it were the last, and do my best."

- Hobbies and pastimes to escape from tennis in tournaments like these

"It's true that there is a lot of free time in tournaments, especially once the tournament has started. You have to play the match, and the rest of the day is free. I try to pass the time talking with my friends, with my family. In this case, in Spain, it's much easier because I have friends in the tournaments where I can spend time with them. That is helping me a lot, both last week in Barcelona and this week in Madrid."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar apunta a su gran meta: "La clave es seguir con la regularidad que he mostrado estos meses"