Mochizuki révèle la clé de sa victoire contre Jódar et pense déjà à Sinner

Shintaro Mochizuki will be the unexpected opponent of Jannik Sinner in the round of 16 at Wimbledon 2026. The Japanese caused one of the tournament's surprises by defeating the Spanish player Rafael Jódar in a demanding four-set match and will now have the opportunity to face the world number one on Center Court.

Far from being intimidated, Shintaro Mochizuki gave one of the most sincere press conferences of the tournament. He analyzed the keys to his victory over Rafael Jódar in Wimbledon 2026, acknowledged that he sees Sinner as "a celebrity," and explained the only strategy he deems possible to compete against the Italian. He also reflected on the unique playing style he has developed since his junior days and why he believes grass is the perfect surface to showcase it.

Shintaro Mochizuki talks about Jódar and his plans against Sinner at Wimbledon 2026

Mochizuki dissects his match with Jódar

The Japanese player admitted that the Spaniard pushed him to his limits from the start and explained how he turned around a match that was becoming challenging as games progressed. "It was an incredible match. Rafa started playing really well, especially on the return. I wasn't serving poorly, but he was breaking almost all my services.

For a big part of the match, I couldn't find any solution. It wasn't until midway through the second set that I decided to take a bit more risk with the second serve, and I believe that's when things started to change. I began to hold my serves better, which gave me peace of mind. As for the return, I was already playing well from the start, so I just tried to keep fighting."

The last point of the second set was pure madness. I still don't know how I managed to win that last volley. It was a bit of luck. When that set ended, I was completely exhausted. I just tried to give my best, and I'm very happy to have secured the victory."

Mochizuki reveals how he plans to play against Sinner

The Japanese player will now face the biggest challenge of his career against the world number one and openly admitted that the situation is as exciting as it is odd. "It's a really strange feeling to play against Jannik here, at Wimbledon. Especially this year. Before coming, I was barely winning matches, and I still don't really know how I managed to reach the round of 16.

I'm very excited, but at the same time, it feels strange to see myself at this stage of the tournament. I just want to continue enjoying this experience." Mochizuki also confessed that he barely knows Sinner personally and made a very interesting remark on how he will try to compete against him. "I don't know him too well. He's still almost a celebrity to me. That's why I said it's strange to face him.

I'm convinced he'll play very fast and try to dominate me from the first point. Honestly, I don't think I can beat him just by hitting the ball. I have to do other things to unsettle him, try to distract him technically. I want to play low shots, come to the net a lot... I don't think he's used to facing players with this style. I think it will be an interesting match... or maybe he'll just demolish me," he added with a chuckle.

Shintaro, a player with a unique style

Mochizuki explained that his tennis style is completely different from most players of his generation, a uniqueness that stemmed from the work done with his coach during his junior years. "I believe my game is quite unique. It doesn't resemble that of others much. I hit much flatter, come to the net much more, and don't try to play like most players of my generation, who hit very hard from the baseline and serve with great power.

I also tried to play that way for a while, but it never worked. Eventually, I realized I had to find my own path. It all began when I was 14 or 15. My coach back then gradually steered me towards this style of play. At that time, I wasn't even aware; I was simply enjoying playing tennis."

When I transitioned to the professional circuit, I changed coaches, and they all tried to make me hit harder and with more ball weight. It didn't work. That's when I understood I was different. It took me two or three years to rediscover my true game, but now I feel I have regained that identity."

Grass, the ideal surface for Mochizuki's tennis

Despite not growing up playing on grass, the Japanese player believes that Wimbledon enhances all the virtues of his game. "We don't have grass courts in Japan. The first time I played on this surface was at 16, in the Wimbledon junior tournament, and it was an incredible experience. I've always felt I have a good relationship with this surface. Perhaps my results here haven't been spectacular until now, but my game fits very well.

When you constantly approach the net, it's very difficult for the opponent to find angles to pass you. Also, my shots are quite flat and bounce very little, something that works well on grass. I also believe the current grass isn't as fast as before, so I can leverage another of my strengths, which is movement and leg speed to reach many balls."

Without pressure and with a playing style completely different from the rest of the circuit, Shintaro Mochizuki will now face the biggest challenge of his career against Jannik Sinner. The Japanese player acknowledges that the world number one is the clear favorite but is determined not to abandon the identity that surprisingly brought him to the round of 16 at Wimbledon.