Jódar is excited about a special goal: "If I achieve it, I will be very happy"

Today Rafa Jódar delivered another outstanding performance, yet again in this incredible season; we have already lost track of how many there have been. This morning he executed an epic comeback against Jiri Lehecka at the Shanghai Masters 1000 to reach the top sixteen in the draw. How did he do it? He explained it himself minutes later.

The truth is that the Madrid native's discourse is no longer very familiar since he burst into the top 100 a few months ago. Always with his feet on the ground, valuing everything he is experiencing, aware that he still has much to learn and never being too hard on himself for any defeat. It sounds easy, but at 20 years old and on the verge of the top 10, it is not always so.

“I am proud to have held on until the end. It was very difficult today, especially with these conditions. Jiri played very well from start to finish, serving exceptionally, so I had to give my best to win this match,” Jódar explained after the match. A reflection that shows the Spaniard's ability to recognize difficulties without undermining his own work. Beyond the result, each match is a new learning experience for a player who is just beginning to discover the demands of the professional circuit.

Rafa Jódar insists on what he still has to learn

The Asian adventure is proving to be a journey of discovery for Jódar. Just a year ago, he was competing in Challenger tournaments far from the big stages, while now he is enjoying one of the most important events on the ATP calendar. “This is my first year on the circuit, and I am aware that I will discover many things, new tournaments. This is a great tournament, a great Masters 1000, and I am enjoying my time here in Shanghai,” he acknowledged. The Spaniard also highlighted the facilities and the environment of the Chinese tournament, although he made it clear that he is still in the process of adapting: “I still have many things to improve and learn in this first year.”

👏"I have been mentally very well (...), I am very happy to win such a difficult match" 🗣Rafa Jódar's thoughts after coming back from 4-6, 7-6, and 6-4 against the Czech Lehecka to advance to the round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters 🥎The Spaniard will face the Dutch Botic van de Zandschulp next Wednesday

— RNE Deportes (@RNEdeportes) October 12, 2026

With the last tournaments of the season ahead, the question about his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals also arose. However, Jódar does not want to distract himself with calculations or turn that possibility into added pressure. “None of that is on my mind. I will focus on my next match, which will be very tough, and I will try to take it one match at a time,” he assured. His philosophy does not change regardless of the outcome: “If I make it, I will be very happy; if not, I will also be very happy with the season because it is the first one, and I will try again next year.” A discourse that matches the maturity he has been demonstrating on the court.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar se ilusiona con un objetivo especial: “Si lo consigo, estaré muy feliz"