Jódar, à la conquête du grand défi à Paris : "Je sais que les matchs en cinq sets peuvent réserver beaucoup de rebondissements"

Carlos Navarro | 22 May 2026 | 13.29

Ainsi a parlé Jódar avant de faire ses débuts à Paris. Source : Getty

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Rafa Jódar is one of the main attractions of Roland Garros 2026, still facing it with the eyes of a rookie. His last time in Paris was a couple of seasons ago when he was still competing in the junior edition of the event. His arrival in Paris has sparked a flurry of expectations and pressure, but also an ever-growing excitement due to his recent good performances on the circuit.

At this Parisian event, his first as a professional and only his second Grand Slam, he arrives well-rested after a demanding clay court swing. Champion in Marrakech, semifinalist in the Godó, quarterfinalist in Madrid and Rome... positive experiences abound, but now he faces a monster he doesn't have much experience with yet: five sets, two weeks of competition, the fatigue of the prestigious Everest of the circuit. Does this generate extra pressure? Does he approach the tournament from a different perspective? One can imagine the answer, but no one better than Rafa himself to clarify in his first press conference from Paris.

This is how Rafa Jódar arrives at Roland Garros: Here's what he says ahead of his debut

- Making his debut at Roland Garros, how has his preparation been?

"Yes, I arrived here two days ago and I am very excited to compete in this tournament for the first time. It will be my first Grand Slam on clay, so I am very thrilled. I am trying to prepare myself the best way possible for my first match on Monday."

- Looking back over the last twelve months, reflecting on his journey to get here

"Yes, it has been good months for me. I really enjoyed playing the Challengers at the end of last year, then the Next Gen Finals at the end of last year, having the opportunity to play against the best young players. This year, playing in all ATP events in Spain and around the world has been special for me, as ultimately it is my first year on the tour. Discovering all the tournaments is always very special. I am trying to get used to this."

- Regarding his ability to showcase his best version in new settings: Where does that come from? "Yes, I know it's difficult because everyone here plays very well and tries to bring their A-game, but I try to play my tennis in all tournaments, try to take my tennis to the highest level, and if things don't go well, I try to accept the situation and be aware that I have solutions to fix what's happening in the match. As you said, I think focusing on showing all of my game on the court, in the matches, was one of the keys to doing well in these recent tournaments."

- The challenge of playing five sets... and now on clay

"Yes, I think it will be a new experience for me, a new challenge. I am eager to start the tournament: I am going to try to play my best tennis and without any expectations because, as I said before, everyone here plays very well and if they have a good day, they can beat you. And yes, knowing that it will be my first Grand Slam here, my first Roland Garros, I enjoy the experience because, when I was young, I always dreamed of playing in these kinds of settings and in a Grand Slam, so I enjoy the experience."

- On handling the players' measurements and the pressure of only speaking for 15 minutes with the press: Is that part of that movement?

"Well, I am new to this process and this year, so I don't have an opinion yet. I just try to do what my father and everyone around me recommend and that's what I do."

- The legacy of another Rafa, Nadal, in this tournament

"Yes, Rafa has done wonderful things in this tournament. It is incredible and amazing what he has achieved. When you are inside the tournament and when you are playing, you appreciate and realize the importance of what he has done here for 14 years. It is something unique. So, yes, he has been one of the best players of all time, no doubt."

- What did you learn during your time at the American college, at the University of Virginia

"It was a wonderful year for me. I learned a lot, played many matches, and developed and evolved a lot as a tennis player. As a person, I could live alone, without parents, with the coaches, obviously, supporting me and with my teammates. They always wanted the best for me. It was a great experience. I have good memories of my time at college and my year at the University of Virginia. It was another chapter in my career."

- Memories of this tournament when you were young

"Yes, I have good memories. It is always a tournament you dream of playing when you are young and when you watch it on TV. I am very excited to be here for the first time, in the main draw of the main tournament. I was here two years ago playing in the junior tournament, but I think it is a different experience. It is totally different to play here with professional players. I try to enjoy the experience and give my best level on Monday."

- Did you watch last year's final between Sinner and Alcaraz?

"Yes, I watched the final. It was a great match from both sides, not just from Carlos, who won in the end. I think it was a high-level match and I enjoyed watching it on TV. It was an epic final that will always be remembered."

- Wearing a Spain jersey at the press conference: Which player would you personalize it with?

"I like Rodri. I think he is my favorite player. He is the winner of the Golden Ball, so I have to go with Rodri."

- Are you physically ready to withstand five sets in Paris?

"It will be a new experience to play five sets and try to give the best I have on that day. Everyone here plays very well and can complicate things for you from the first day. It is important to try to be physically and mentally as prepared as possible and know that five-set matches can turn around, that you have to be there because anything can happen in such a long match."

- How do you handle all the pressure that comes with being a top seed for the first time in a Slam?

"I handle it well. In the end, I am a seed, which allows me not to play against another seed in the first round: that's how I see it. I have the opportunity to be a seed in this Grand Slam. It is true that you do not play against any seed in the first round, but all the players here play very well, we see from the first round all the good matches there are, that everyone can beat everyone. I don't put any extra pressure on myself. It just motivates me to try to do my best and perform well here at Roland Garros."

- What tools do you use to control nerves when you are on the court?

"I try to do what I have always done. Try to impose my game and know that if my game is not working, I need to try to adapt a bit to the match, as we have seen in previous matches this season, and know that the matches are very long, they can turn around a lot, and ultimately just because things are going very well in the beginning doesn't mean you will win. Also, vice versa, just because you start very badly in the match doesn't mean that in the end you can't turn it around. Every duel, especially here at Grand Slam, is very long and anything can happen."

- Do you set any goals for this Roland Garros?

"If when the tournament ends, I have enjoyed on the court, given my best level, and come off the court happy, regardless of the result or how it went. If I feel that I have given my all on the court and that I couldn't have done anything else, that's enough for me."

Cette actualité est une traduction automatique. Vous pouvez lire la nouvelle originale Jódar, a por el gran reto en París: "Sé que los partidos a cinco sets pueden dar muchas vueltas"

Rafael Jódar