Munar: "I have made a physical and tennis leap and hope to be a little better than in Barcelona"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 21 Apr 2026 | 19.53

Munar: "I have made a physical and tennis leap and hope to be a little better than in Barcelona". Photo: Getty Images

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Jaume Munar is moving forward steadily, but not rushing. Two months after returning to the court following his shoulder injury, the Mallorcan is still far from the level he showed at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. He played at the Conde de Godó without many expectations, and the few he had were shattered in an instant by Rafa Jódar. Now, at the Mutua Madrid Open, the goal remains the same: minutes and more minutes on the court.

This was confirmed by Munar himself before the press, as he will make his debut against Aleksander Shevchenko and will aim to gradually recover that incredible level that propelled him to the cusp of the Top 30. The positive side is that the Balearic has confirmed that his injury is completely healed, but now comes the most challenging part: regaining the competitive rhythm.

Jaume Munar reveals one of the main reasons that led him to play in Madrid

"One of the main reasons I am here, as I was in Barcelona, still far from my level, is because of the people. I think I dreamed for many years, since I was a child, of playing in both tournaments, and obviously, any chance I have to do so, I will always take it."

It will take some more time to see the best Munar, but the Spanish crowd gives him the necessary energy

"Tennis-wise, I am far from where I would like to be, but I believe the support of the people and the enthusiasm that is felt in these tournaments, especially in Spain, are also part of the recovery, not only physically but also mentally and in terms of tennis. Therefore, one of the main reasons I am here, as I mentioned, is the people and being at home. So, I come with a lot of excitement and prepared to show a better level and a better performance than in Barcelona."

Injury completely overcome

"Medically, I am fine. The injury I had is 100% healed, and from a diagnostic imaging perspective, I am fine. Still, there is muscle adaptation, being able to be as functional as I want to be on the court, and that is taking me a little more time."

"I am in the second week of that phase, and I believe it may take me a few more weeks. From Barcelona, I practically came straight here, had a week of training, prepared well, had good working days, some not so good, and also rest days. I think there has been a qualitative improvement physically and in terms of tennis, so I hope to be a bit better than in Barcelona and, above all, have a greater competitive capacity. I believe that will be the case. Today, in fact, I had a very high-level training session with Casper, so I am optimistic because I think we are on the right track."

The injury was a psychological blow

"It is difficult, I won't hide it. When one is in a good moment, as I was in Rotterdam, feeling good, playing well, probably going through the best time of my career, it is never easy to stop. But I accepted it well, digested it well. I had time to be at home and do things that I normally cannot do, and that is pleasant mentally. Now, however, it is a bit heavier for me to see that medically I am fine, but in certain aspects of the game, I still have physical limitations, and that does not help mentally."

"Still, I am taking it naturally, trying to make tomorrow better than today, and so on. I think it is working for me. Just as the arm recovers medically and tennis gradually returns, mentally that anxiety is also calming down, and the necessary tranquility for competition is being found."

Needs hours on the court

"We have to be realistic. We play to win matches, points, money, and tournaments. That is the reality. And where you really prepare for that is in competition. The more hours I spend on the court, the more confidence I will have in my body. Today, I am far from that optimal level, but undoubtedly, playing matches, competing, and training with the best players help a lot."

"That is what I have done this week, and hopefully here I can play more than one match, continue to add the following week, and so on. I am convinced that in a few weeks, I will be where I want to be."

His expectations in Madrid focus on taking it match by match

"I have no expectations, honestly, because I cannot have them. I would love to give an ambitious headline, but that is not the reality of my tennis right now. I have to go match by match."

"My goal is to be able to play a top-level match on Thursday and be competitive, something I was not in Barcelona. If I feel competitive, I will try to win, of course, because that's why I am here. But knowing the difficulty it entails, just being competitive and physically well will already be a victory. Then, as a professional, I will go 100% for the win," says a Jaume Munar eager to bring joy back on the court.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Munar: "He dado un salto físico y tenístico y espero estar un poco mejor que en Barcelona"