Lehecka warns before facing Jódar and reveals his goal of reaching Turin

Jiri Lehecka has needed two victories to reach the round of 16 at the 2026 Montreal Masters 1000, where he will face Rafa Jódar. It's a high-stakes match, one that you shouldn't miss, and where it's crucial to pay attention to what's said in the hours leading up to it.

Yesterday, after his victory against Alexander Blockx, the Czech sat down at the Tennis Channel table to analyze his progress in the Canadian tournament and set his sights on his next goal. There was also time to briefly review his current season and that dream of reaching the ATP Finals in Turin at the end of the year. Jiri Lehecka, the upcoming opponent of Rafa Jódar, a guy who is closer than ever to the top 10 thanks to the maturity he has gained over the years. 

The first thing the Czech did was explain the keys to his victory, especially against a rival with such a powerful serve. Although he wasn't satisfied with his first serve percentage, he found calm in the rallies from the baseline and managed not to concede a single break point. "I felt pretty good with my first serve today, but I'm not happy with the percentage. When it went in, it was a very good weapon for me. I knew that with the second serve, you never know, because Alex is a great player and can be very aggressive. What kept me calm was feeling that in the rallies I was superior and that I could handle it well from the baseline. I didn't have to be afraid of anything. That was the key," he explained.

Lehecka is a player who feels particularly comfortable in the conditions of the North American tour after Wimbledon. The speed of the courts, the bounce, and the balls that he considers relatively easy to control allow him to play with the aggression that characterizes his tennis. "The surface helps a bit. It’s a little faster, but the balls are not extremely fast, and I think they are easier to control. When I can be aggressive, I have enough confidence to go for the ball and come to the net; these conditions fit my game very well, and I try to take advantage of it as much as possible," he noted.

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The Czech also took the opportunity to explain how he disconnected after Wimbledon. "It's very important because the season is very long, and if you're doing well, you end up playing more and more matches with hardly any break. After Wimbledon, my girlfriend and I took a few days off. We went to the Swiss Alps, did some hiking, and spent some quiet time in the mountains. I enjoyed it a lot," added the current world No. 12.

Jiri Lehecka talks about his chances to qualify for the ATP Finals 2026

When directly asked about his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals, Lehecka did not hesitate: "Yes." A brief answer that reflects the ambition of a player who already knows what it means to be among the best and wants to turn a great summer into the definitive springboard to Turin.

Now he will face Rafa Jódar, against whom he has never played. "I am looking forward to playing that match; I have never played against the Madrilenian. As we all can see, he is having a fantastic season. He started the year outside the top 100, and so far, he has been very strong on clay, but he can also play very good tennis on hard courts. That shows that he is a very dangerous player, capable of playing well on any surface. I think he is a player we will hear a lot about in the coming years," Jiri concluded.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Lehecka avisa antes de medirse a Jódar y revela su objetivo de llegar a Turín