MUBADALA DC OPEN

August 3, 2026

Rafael Jodar

Press Conference

T. FRITZ/R. Jodar

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Rafa, can you just talk a little bit about the match and what it means for you to make the finals at this tournament?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, it was a great tournament. I think overall I played great matches against tough opponents.

Yeah, I take all the learning from this week to try to add it to the next week.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Obviously a close match, 6 and 4. What do you think made the difference early in the tiebreak? And early in the second set he had kind of a clear advantage. But otherwise, it was pretty even the whole time.

RAFAEL JODAR: Yes, small details. First set we didn't break the serve, and in the tiebreak, I think he played better the important points.

Yeah, I think I'm happy how I faced those important points, but it didn't go my way today. Yeah, try to work on those little details so they can, you know, help me to get better in the future.

Q. Rafa, you had the extended success in the clay court season, abbreviated grass court season. What were your expectations coming into this week? What does this run maybe do for you and the mentality now going into the rest of the hard court?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, well, going match by match, I think I did a great job doing that this week. I think I played five great matches against tough opponents, so I think this week will help me to develop a lot and to, you know, get a lot of experience, especially on hard court, which is the first tournament of this swing until the US Open.

Yeah, this gives me confidence and perspective that if I do the things well and in the right way, you know, with positive mentality, will help me to be consistent, you know, and hopefully do well in the next tournaments, as well.

Q. What have the last 24 hours been like for you? Obviously you guys were supposed to play yesterday with the weather being a factor. What have the last 24 hours been like?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, we just had to wait yesterday. The whole day I got a chance to warm up, but unfortunately didn't play, so yeah, I just took it easy. Didn't do anything special in the hotel, and yeah, got some rest and prepare for the match today.

Q. You took a medical timeout right at the end of the match. What was going on then?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, well, when I fell, yeah, when I fell in I think it was 4-3 for him, that point, I got hurt my wrist a little bit.

But yeah, we'll see. Hopefully it's nothing too serious.