AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2026

Rafael Jodar

Press Conference

R. JODAR/R. Sakamoto

7-6, 6-1, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Rafa, congrats for your first main draw win at a Grand Slam at a pro level against a junior rival. Give us your assessment of today's match against Sakamoto.

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, was a very close match. I could say the first match for both for in five sets, no? So yeah, I mean, in important moments, I mean, there are many, many moments during the match I could handle them as the best way as possible.

Yeah, I'm very happy to get my first Grand Slam win here in Melbourne. Now I have to keep going because every match is different. You have to approach it with the best mentality possible.

So yeah, very happy with the win and try to recover as well as possible for the next match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You won the first two sets. Especially the second set went easy for you. At that moment were you preparing for a five-setter? What was your emotion when the match went to five sets?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I was just trying to think to play my game, to play the moment that I was. I think it was in the fourth set. But yeah, just try to keep doing the things I was doing.

I think I did a great job during the match, because it was a long match, to accept everything that came from outside, also from my opponent. Yeah, just try to keep going.

I knew that these matches in Grand Slams are very long, so you have to be there every time, and yeah, have the best mentality, the best mental preparation possible.

Q. What are some of your favorite memories from the past week or so? Obviously this is a new experience for you. What sticks out from doing what you've done so far?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, I'm enjoying. I'm enjoying a lot not just this week but the start of the season. I think I've been able to play a lot of matches. Especially in the challenger last week in Canberra, I could play seven matches. Now here four.

I think it's great to start a season playing many matches, it's good for your confidence and also for your level. In matches is where you can see your level. Everyone plays very good. There's a high level here.

So yeah, in general I'm enjoying a lot this week. It's like, for example, last year I was watching this tournament on TV, and this year I'm playing here. So yeah, it's a reward for all the work I've been doing these past years. I'm super happy to be here in Melbourne.

Q. Eventually what do you think was the key of this victory? Mental strength? Physical strength?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, I mean, these matches, you have to have everything in your game. I think the mental part is very important, as you said. I think in these five-set matches you have to be mental ready and also physical because the physical part is also important. In the fifth set, yeah, it was about physical and also mental.

So yeah, it was the first time playing in a five-set match. So yeah, I enjoyed a lot. Yeah, those things are super important not just for this match but for these type of tournaments.