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17 Jun 2026 | 21.30
"Vale la pena esperar, lo que vale la pena tener," says the proverb. It is a phrase engraved in the history of David Jordà, a man who always believed in his chances on the tennis court. Until time proved him right.
I met David Jordà Sanchis (Tarragona, 1994) at the Conde de Godó a couple of years ago. "Who is that 29-year-old who won his first ATP match?" I titled that first interview to highlight that late blooming. Today, more than one will be wondering who that 32-year-old is who has won his first two Challenger titles. A hard worker of tennis, plagued by injuries, marked by multiple surgeries, but with a steel mindset. "I will try until the end," he assured me on that occasion, regardless of what deadlines or candles on his cake said. In June 2026, after conquering Istanbul (CH75) and Lyon (CH100), his name appears for the first time within the top 200 in the world.
Having never reached a Challenger final before, to win two almost consecutively. Did you expect something like this?
Well, we were playing well in the matches, we realized that we were dominating, that we were superior in many phases. I saw that many encounters slipped away due to details, that we only lacked that regularity of winning, until a moment comes where you click and you start to see the changes. Winning two Challengers almost back-to-back? I didn't expect this, but in terms of level, we felt we were close to all the players in the draw.
Was the second title in Lyon very different from the first in Istanbul?
When you start reaching milestones, everything becomes easier. For example, when you reach that first Challenger semifinal, or that first final, experience makes you compete better. The two finals we played were very complete, the first one even surprised us with how well we handled our emotions, it was a really good match. Lyon was different, both of us were a bit nervous in the final.
"‘The two finals we played.’ It's interesting that you always speak in plural.
Because we are a team, I'm the one acting on the court but behind there are many hours of work from all the people with me. It wouldn't be coherent to speak in singular.
Who is working with you?
Right now, I'm with a coach from Seville, Pepe Juarez, we started in January and I'm super happy. My physical trainer, Ernest Baiget, with whom I've been working for many years. Then there's my partner, who travels with me for many weeks and provides tremendous support. I also have Jeanba Poux, who helps me in Andorra, in addition to my base in Tarragona with Álex López Morón and Juanjo García. It's a large team, that's why I keep referring to us in plural.
Two years ago, I interviewed you after your first ATP victory, what has changed since then?
At that time, I was at my best ranking, coming off a win in Estoril, playing well. We had a very pleasant conversation, I remember it, but just on my first match at Godó I tore my calf, so I was back to being sidelined. When I returned, I tore my ankle ligaments, it was a year where we suffered a lot of bad luck. 2025 was very irregular, there were many changes, I felt a bit lost. The main change we made in December was to seek stability, so I moved with my partner to Andorra for a change of scenery, putting together a team and a coach who could travel with me as many weeks as possible. The key was that I never lost faith, I always saw myself at the level to win these matches.
In which match did things click for you?
At the Challenger in Rome, last April. I remember losing that day, leaving the court and having it crystal clear, 'Things have to change, we need to go further.' It was an okay match, I lost 6-4 and 7-5, but we realized that this way we wouldn't beat anyone. Aside from this, another important point was watching the last final in Marrakech, with Trungelliti. That was a big inspiration for me.
In what sense?
For us older players, that final gave us an extra motivation and faith, showing us that it's not too late. For players my age who haven't yet broken certain barriers, it can be harder to believe at times. That final was a breath of fresh air to realize that we still have time.
Trungelliti's story is amazing, did you talk to him?
Yes, we have a great relationship. Both of us live here in Andorra, so we exchange messages almost daily.
Knowing your playing style, it's surprising that these two titles came on clay courts.
It's true that I always played on fast courts, tournaments where there were hardly any Spaniards, but this year we focused more on clay. In the end, I grew on clay, it's not bad for me, so I'm not surprised that these results came on clay before fast courts.
You just turned 32, how are you physically?
I'm good, I take care of myself, I enjoy doing physical work, and I also have a game that helps me endure a bit better. I'm fortunate to get free points with my serve, without much rallying, which helps me avoid many three-hour matches, with less demand. At 32, I see myself in perfect shape (laughter).
You always believed that this moment would come, and that's commendable.
But there were also tough moments, moments that weren't easy. In this latest stage, I had many talks, especially with my partner, but I've also been working with a psychologist for a year and a half. Deep down, I always knew I had the tennis level, it was just a matter of finding the right formula for the results to come. If we had seen ourselves far from the level of our opponents, then we would have had more doubts. We weathered the storm; everyone has their moments, so now it's time to keep working.
In terms of sponsors, has any brand approached you after entering the top 200?
Not yet… I'm calm about that, when I was young I was lucky to have a brand support me until I was 19, but after that nothing. I also don't think about it because I don't know if it will come, for now, I buy my shoes, rackets, strings, and clothes. I play with what I like, so I'm at peace.
Right now, you are the best tennis player in all of Catalonia, isn't that a sufficient draw?
Age plays a role, I understand it from a business perspective, ultimately, a player needs to be profitable. You need to have notoriety and influence, but at #190 in the world, you won't sell two shirts. I have no issue with this; I play with what works best for my performance. If you see my photos, I'm a multi-brand player (laughter).
I've seen them, yes.
The other day I played wearing Uniqlo pants, a Hanta shirt, Artengo socks, and Asics shoes. Now my partner gave me an amazing gift, a super cool clothing set, so I'll start to go a bit more uniform.
You win your second Challenger, in Lyon, on your birthday. Did you celebrate it properly?
It was the best way to give myself a good gift. Just the week I won Istanbul was my partner's birthday, so the other day we were already thinking about whose birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks to find the lucky charm (laughter).
What's left for you to make the leap to the ATP level? Do you think about it a lot?
I have always liked to play at the top; that's what we work for, to reach the best tournaments. Even when I was #500 in the world, I liked to throw myself into playing some Challenger qualies… I would say that in the last three years I have only played about 5-6 Futures, so now that I have the opportunity, as soon as I can, I will try to play in some ATP tournaments. Tennis is made for you to play those tournaments, where the points are, although you can always take a step back if you need to win more matches.
By ranking (#190), you are closer than ever to the top 100. By level, too?
We are ready to compete; the Challenger circuit each week features players within the top 100, but they don't always win the title. We all compete against each other; the level is very even, although we need to keep working on some things, but that's always the case. As of today, I don't see myself far from that level.
In a month, you climbed over 150 positions in the ranking; does your schedule change a lot?
It changes a bit, but not excessively; being #190, I still have to continue playing Challengers. Between July and August, maybe the idea was to keep playing clay in Europe, but now I will switch to hard courts to prepare for the US Open qualifying and adapt to those conditions.
Your first Grand Slam, such a reward.
Very happy, it's the first time I'm going to play a Grand Slam Qualifying. It was a life goal, of all the players, everyone dreams of reaching these tournaments. I won't say it's just another tournament, but the goal is the same: to reach, compete, enjoy, and do my best.
This August, you're skipping vacations.
I always take a week around that time with my partner, but this year we'll have to postpone it (laughter). Plus, we're getting married in October, so they will be very special dates; there will be time to escape at the end of the season.
This 2026 is only bringing you good news.
Yes, it's a year where things are going well, we are all very happy.
The cherry on top would be a ceremonial serve at the Nàstic stadium.
Well, this year they secured their category, and that's the most important thing (laughter). I still have a great relationship with all the board members and staff; they send me messages when things are going well, so I'm very happy to maintain this bond. I hope things go very well for both of us.
Cette actualité est une traduction automatique. Vous pouvez lire la nouvelle originale El español que le ganó el pulso al tiempo: “Nunca perdí la fe, siempre me vi con nivel para ganar estos partidos”
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