ROLAND GARROS

May 22, 2026

Rafael Jodar

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Could you please share how your preparations have been for Roland Garros this year?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I got here two days ago, and I'm super excited to compete in this tournament for the first time. It's going to be my first Grand Slam on clay, so super excited. Yes, try to get ready the best way as possible for my first match on Monday.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I love the shirt, by the way.

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, thank you.

Q. Last year when you were here, you were well down the rankings. Now you're seeded. Just tell me about your rise over the past year and could you have imagined 12 months ago where you would be right now?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, it's been a good month for me. I've really enjoyed the process of playing challengers last year at the end of last year, and then qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals, and having the opportunities to play against the best young players at the end of last year.

Then this year playing all the ATP events and, you know, in Spain and all over the world. Yeah, it has been special for me, because it's the first year, so discovering all the tournaments is always very special.

Yeah, I'm, you know, trying to get used to this.

Q. I'm just wondering, because so far everything that you've experienced for the first time, you were able to kind of step up and bring out your best. I'm wondering, why do you think that is? Is it a matter of you're not intimidated by new things? Have you always been like this? Because not everyone, when they experience something for the first time, are able to bring out their best.

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I know it's difficult, because everyone here plays very well, and they try to give their best level, but I just try to play my tennis in all the tournaments, try to, you know, impose my tennis game. If things are not going well, try to accept the situation and be aware that I have, you know, solutions to fix what's going on in the match.

And as you said, I think, you know, putting my game on the court, I think that was one of the keys to do well in these past tournaments.

Q. Two quick questions, if I could, please. The first one is, one of the new experiences really at this stage of your career is going to be playing best-of-five-sets tennis. I know you've played it before, but how ready do you feel for that challenge?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I think it will be a new experience for me, a new challenge. I'm looking forward to starting the tournament and, yeah, try to play my best tennis and without any expectations, because, as I said before, everyone here plays very well. If they have a good day, they can beat you.

Yeah, knowing that it will be my first Grand Slam, my first French Open, and enjoy the experience, because when I was younger, I always dreamed about playing on this kind of stages and in the Grand Slams, so enjoy the experience.

Q. Just quickly, we understand that the players today are just speaking to the media for 15 minutes as a way of making a point to the Grand Slams. I just wondered, in your case, you're new to this, have you been told you are only supposed to speak to the media for 15 minutes today?

RAFAEL JODAR: I'm new to this process this year, so I don't have still an opinion. I just try to do what my dad and all the people that are around me recommend me, and that's what I do.

Q. Some other Rafa was very famous for this tournament. What does that mean to you?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I mean, Rafa has done great things in this tournament. It's unbelievable and amazing what he has accomplished and achieved in this tournament.

When you are in the tournament and when you are playing the tournament, you really appreciate and you really, like, give importance of what he has done here winning 14 times. It's something unique.

So, yeah, he has been one of the best players on clay of all time.

Q. Rafa, you were one of the top juniors, and you decided to take the college route. Can you talk to us about what you learned in Virginia, especially from the coaches, and your journey over there?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, it was a great year for me. I learned a lot. I played a lot of matches, and I develop a lot as a tennis player and as a person. I could live alone without parents, with the coaches obviously supporting me and with my teammates, as well.

They always wanted the best for me. It was a great experience. I have good memories about my stay and my year at the University of Virginia, and it was another chapter in my career.

Q. What were your memories from when you are a child of Roland Garros, watching TV, some matches? You have played the tournament two years ago in juniors. What also memories do you have from that tournament?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I have good memories. It's always a tournament you are, like, dreaming about playing when you are younger and when you are watching on TV. So I'm very excited to be here for the first time in the professional tournament.

As I said, I was here two years ago playing the junior tournament, but I think it's another experience. It's totally different to play here with the professional players. So I try to enjoy the experience and give my best level on Monday.

Q. Going back to your journey, do you remember where you were this time last year, what tournament?

RAFAEL JODAR: I was finishing the college season with UVA, and I think I was playing maybe some challengers in the U.S. before coming back to Europe to play the challengers in summer here. I think that was the situation.

Q. Were you watching the tournament and thinking, I could be there next year?

RAFAEL JODAR: Maybe. I mean, if I was in the U.S., it was difficult because of time difference, but yeah, probably I was watching some of the matches.

Q. Just to follow up on that, did you watch the final at all? And what did you think about the battle between Jannik and Carlos last year?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I watched the final. That was a great game from both sides, not just from Carlos, who was the one that won in the final. I think that was a high-level match. I really enjoy to watch that match on TV obviously. Yeah, that was an epic final that will always be remembered.

Q. Just a quick question about your jersey. If you had to put a number on the back of the jersey, which number would it be from the Spanish squad? Who is your favorite player and why?

RAFAEL JODAR: I really like either Rodri, Rodri, I think he's my favorite player, Ballon d'Or winner. So I have to go with Rodri.

Q. Is it very easy to be a Spanish player today, because your name is Rafa, like Nadal, versus Carlos Alcaraz, so is it very easy to be a player, a good player, I mean?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I mean, being from the same country as Carlos and Rafa, doesn't mean you are going to accomplish or achieve the same things that they have won. I just try to follow my own path, try to do my career, and enjoy the process, because it's great to be in all these places playing against these great players.