Rafa Jódar sets no limits in Montreal: "My goal remains to improve"

A few hours have passed, but we are still speechless, we still cannot understand how Rafa Jódar is doing what he is doing on the circuit. The 19-year-old Spaniard is in the semifinals of the Masters 1000 in Montreal. The incredible thing is that he seems to be the clear favorite for the title.

Last night, he delivered yet another perfect performance to defeat Arthur Fils for the second time in two weeks. Serving, returning, showcasing exceptional solidity on both sides, and above all his shots, pulling from a winning mentality that comes naturally to him. He is a monstrous athlete, regardless of his age; this kid is already competing with the best. Let's listen to his comments before facing Brandon Nakashima at midnight tomorrow.

A path of his own

"I know I am doing things right, with my father and all the people close to me, and I simply try to follow my own path. I think that's the key and one of the most important things, to keep pushing and keep improving because there are still many things I have to learn both on and off the court. I try not to pay too much attention to everything that happens outside the tournament and focus on myself."

Not obsessed with rankings

"My goal remains the same: to improve, to experience all the tournaments in my first year on the circuit, and to play many matches, if possible, thanks to the results. That's it. I don't try to climb the rankings; I think that's secondary and shouldn't be your priority or your goal. My goal is to have fun on the court and enjoy all the tournaments that are new to me."

The value of returning in his tennis

"Every shot is important, but especially on hard courts, I believe that returning is very important. It's something we've been working on, like anything else. In this type of match, in the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000, you have to try to give your best and play your tennis. I think I did a great job today, especially in important and pressure moments. You have to play your tennis and try to stay relaxed."

Nakashima, the next challenge

"He is a very difficult player. If he is in the semifinals, there's a reason; he has won matches here and also last week. He is playing good tennis, so I will have to prepare for that match and prepare my body because it will be another tough encounter, like any other match here in a Masters 1000, where everyone plays very well and at a very high level."

Rain as a learning experience

"It's part of the game; it's something you have to deal with, not just me, but also the opponent. We couldn't play due to the rain, and then, when we were about to finish the first set, it started to rain again. It's part of the game. You have to accept the situation, try to be positive, and know that it could be a long match due to the weather conditions. If it happens again in the future, this match and this experience will help me."

Rafa Jódar explains his meteoric rise in the circuit

"I don't think it's easy. Just because I'm doing well in these types of events doesn't mean it's easy; it remains super difficult. From the first round, as we could see here in Montreal when I played my first match, it was very complicated. In these tournaments, everyone plays very well, and the results between players are very close. It's not as easy as it may seem from outside the tournament; it's very tough."

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Recognition and fame

"I try to treat everyone with respect; that's a priority for me. If they want an autograph or a photo, that's fine as long as they treat me with respect. I'm completely fine with this and will keep doing it if it makes them happy because it's something special to see people happy when they get a photo or whatever with a player from any sport."

Taking care of the body, match by match

"I try to take care of every detail. I think it's important to make the most of the days off. In this case, due to yesterday's rain, we won't have any more days off, but it is what it is; you have to accept it and get back to playing another match tomorrow. You need to take care of your body to prevent injuries or anything that might happen. I know I am playing many matches, but that means I'm doing well, so I'm happy about that."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rafa Jódar no se pone límites en Montreal: "Mi objetivo sigue siendo mejorar"