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12 May 2026 | 16.36
Rafael Jódar continues to dazzle the tennis world. Not only for his tennis, but especially for the maturity and mental composure with which he seems to face any challenge, exuding calm through his body language in what are just his early steps on the ATP circuit. The spotlight isn't blinding the young man from Madrid, who has achieved impressive milestones after reaching his second consecutive quarterfinals at the ATP Rome 2026 Masters 1000, a streak that began on the clay court swing with a victory in Marrakech.
His victory today over Learner Tien was also a statement on a generational level: after defeating Joao Fonseca in Madrid, Rafa now also overpowers one of those rackets destined to carry the burden of the new generation, the one that must dethrone Sinner and Alcaraz. Already ranked #29 in the ATP rankings, Jódar seems to have taken the helm of this group... but his attitude and mentality are still those of a newcomer: constantly and naturally assimilating what he experiences, not being blinded by victories or defeats, but rather placing trust in the lessons each week brings.
This is Rafael Jódar's mindset this season: taking it step by step... and treating 2026 as a year of learning.
He spoke extensively about all this in the mixed zone after his victory against Learner Tien, once again displaying that calmness and maturity with which he approaches every journalist's question. "For me, everything is new this year, all the tournaments. I am getting used to seeing and interacting with all the players in each tournament. I consider this year as what it is, a full year of learning, as I believe I can learn a lot of things if I am smart, analyze the matches, and observe the surroundings and atmosphere of each tournament," openly stated the Leganés native.
However, this open mindset does not clash with his ambition: Rafa is not surprised by having reached two consecutive quarterfinals and rather approaches it with the excitement of a newcomer. "I'm very excited to reach the quarterfinals again. I try to face each match with the best possible mindset because I am aware that everyone here plays well. You have to play very well. You have to be consistent, have a tough mentality if you want to win matches in all tournaments. I am excited to see what my process will be like."
Jódar discussed whether he has imagined a hypothetical rematch against Sinner in the final.
The enthusiasm around the Madrid player is so high that Rafa must even ward off distractions and make it clear that he does not yet see himself in a potential title showdown against Jannik Sinner, his nemesis in the previous Madrid tournament. "No, honestly, I don't think about that. I am solely focused on my next match, which I know will be against a very tough opponent in the quarterfinals. I take it match by match. I try to learn from all my matches; I think my last two tournaments have been quite good, I am playing at a very high level. If I don't approach each match with the right mindset, I won't have many victories in each tournament." With feet on the ground, a cool head, and ambition towards his next challenge, which already has a name and date: Luciano Darderi in tomorrow's match, vying for a spot in the semifinals of the ATP Rome 2026.
Cette actualité est une traduction automatique. Vous pouvez lire la nouvelle originale El Jódar más maduro vuelve a aparecer: "Me tomo este año completo como un año de aprendizaje"
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12 May 2026 | 13:00Le monstre de Leganés se promène à Rome -
11 May 2026 | 19:00Sinner révèle ce qui est le plus important pour jouer son meilleur tennis -
11 May 2026 | 15:00Cirstea : "Annoncer ma retraite m'a libéré" -
12 May 2026 | 07:00Sinner: "Je n'ai rien à perdre à Rome, je peux jouer détendu" -
11 May 2026 | 10:00"Sinner n'est pas un robot" -
11 May 2026 | 23:00Swiatek, connexion totale avec Francis Roig -
11 May 2026 | 23:00Landaluce : "Se me ha presentado una oportunidad y voy a por ella"
