"The problem some have with Jódar is not Jódar itself, but the flag it carries"

There is no doubt that the big story of the year, beyond what Alcaraz and Sinner have done or are achieving, is that of Rafa Jódar. The Madrid native, in what is his first season on the ATP circuit, is astonishing everyone with a rapid adaptation, and right now it cannot be questioned that he is one of the most in-form tennis players out there.

Rafa has the chance to make history, as no one in history has managed to qualify for the ATP Finals in their first year on the circuit. Right now, Jódar is just 111 points away from being ranked as the eighth-best tennis player of the year, a position currently held by Alex de Miñaur, who is clearly on a downward trend. If he performs well in Canada and goes far, Rafa could make a tremendous leap in the Ranking and place himself among the top 10 of the season, and even in the current ATP Ranking.

Criticism from Latin America for his on-court actions

In recent months, especially from Brazil and Argentina, many social media accounts have been fueling a narrative claiming that Rafa has a controversial personality, treating ball boys poorly or even his own father. Back at Roland Garros, we had to explain that he didn't push anyone; it was all a visual effect due to the camera angle, but even so, people have been unable to understand that Jódar did not do that. As the saying goes, there is no greater blind person than one who does not want to see.

These criticisms, mostly coming from Latam, try to spread hate towards Rafa to make him appear worse than he is, in a way so that other tennis players from their countries, like Fonseca, for example, seem better in comparison. In reality, there is no need to throw dirt on anyone's figure for another player to be better. Tomorrow, João will benefit from Rafa's presence, and vice versa, just as happens with Alcaraz and Sinner, except right now, those fans do not see it.

In today’s society, there seems to be more need to hate something or someone rather than enjoying what one likes. This happens with many other examples. Social media is filled with hate and criticism, with people following personalities they dislike for whatever reason, and instead of engaging with those whose content matches their interests, they follow others in a tremendous loop of hate and controversy.

Rafa Jódar, a different tennis player

The player from Leganés is a very different kind of guy from what is usually found on the tour. We are tired of hearing that many people find the personalities on tour boring, with cold individuals who do not connect with the audience, who do not generate headlines, who hardly speak to the press, who convey nothing on the court… and for a guy who comes out with character, personality, and an impressive style of tennis, he gets criticized.

Jódar is Jódar, he is not Nadal. Although they share the same first name, he has a completely different personality. “He will never be like Nadal or Alcaraz” is a phrase that is often read when talking about Rafa, as if it were bad for him to be different. The guy has a stronger personality; he seems more methodical and focused on what happens on the court and has a more marked character, but that does not make him better or worse than anyone else; he is simply different.

If there is something he does not do well, it will be said. After all, he is only 19 years old, and it is normal for the guy to do or say things that aren't entirely right, but that comes with age. Everyone who has been that age knows what I mean. He will make mistakes, as we all do, but it is striking that everything he does on the court is scrutinized to then produce viral videos that talk about how poorly he does everything.

The latest incident involved claims that he stopped the match against Fritz on purpose in Washington to change his shoelaces, while what actually happened was that they broke. In fact, in all his matches in Canada this week, he has had to pause because of a shoe issue. The last one was last night against Musetti when he was up a break in the second set. After the break, he lost his serve, to make it clear that there was no malice involved.

I feel sorry for those who do not enjoy Jódar (and the same goes for Sinner or Alcaraz) just because he has a different flag from them.

Instead of enjoying his tennis and a guy who delivers on the court, who breaks out of the cold and robotic profile of others… pic.twitter.com/zRAxw2rJt0

— José Morón (@jmgmoron) August 7, 2026

It seems that the problem is not that Rafa does this or that, but that Rafa carries the Spanish flag. And we have seen the same narrative about Alcaraz over the past few years, following his breakout in 2021, where it was said that he was overhyped and not nearly as good as claimed. Now, the same is being said about Jódar. That he is overhyped and that if he is achieving these results, it is because the others are very bad.

If Rafa were Argentine or Brazilian, we would have to see how that fandom would be with him and what they would say about him. But that’s how sports are; it doesn’t only happen in tennis. Everything is viewed through a different lens depending on the color of the shirt or the flag. Instead of focusing on the person, many lose their judgment due to nationality or the team they represent.

Give me 1000 Jódars, whether Spanish, Austrian, Indonesian, or Australian, and I will enjoy him equally regardless of where he is from. He is a guy with brutal tennis. Capable of everything. It is impossible not to see him yesterday against Musetti, a Grand Slam and M1000 semifinalist, by the way, and make him appear as vulnerable as Rafa did. The best part is that he is only 19 years old and will continue to grow and improve from an already very high level.

In four years, we will watch videos of Rafa from 2026 and say: ‘Wow, how he has changed!’ because just like we see videos of Sinner or Alcaraz at 18-19 and notice a tremendous progress in their tennis. And hey, whoever wants to criticize him can do so. I can only feel sorry for those who will not enjoy a tennis player just because of the flag he carries instead of focusing on his tennis. Fans of Nadal and Federer did not realize this until they retired, missing out on many years and a wonderful rivalry in the process.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "El problema de algunos con Jódar no es Jódar, sino la bandera que tiene"