OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 13, 2026

Rafael Jodar

Press Conference

B. NAKASHIMA/R. Jodar

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the press conference of Rafa Jodar. First of all, Rafa, I'm sorry the match didn't go your way today, but could you summarize with us about your overall experience in Montreal?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah. I played four matches, five matches in Montreal, so yeah, a lot of positive things to take from this week, and yeah, on to the next one because the tour continues and the tournaments continue, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Rafa, I just want to know, like, was it more that you weren't able to do today that so of failed you or was it more that what he managed to do that sort of turned the tables his way?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, I didn't play my best level of tennis today, but he also played well. So credit to him that he played especially the important points of the match better than me and that's one of the reasons why he won the match today.

Q. How difficult was it for you going deep in this tournament on the heels of going so far in Washington, too? Were you feeling the fatigue coming into today's match?

RAFAEL JODAR: No. It wasn't about that. I was feeling good. I was trying to play my game during the whole match. It didn't go my way today.

So, yeah, tried to not make the same mistakes in the next time, and this match will help me to develop. I think the losses also help the players to develop.

Q. Early in the match maybe I think you faced six break points on your first two service games. Were you struggling to start, nerves, anything at all, or can you point your finger on something early on that wasn't working in particular?

RAFAEL JODAR: No. He was playing good. He was returning well in the start of the match, and, yeah, it was difficult for me today to find the rhythm.

Yeah, it's part of the game, and I saved those break points very well with good points and with good level of tennis.

And, yeah, we were into the tiebreak, and that's what happened. So, yeah, so you know, I was feeling better when the match went on.

Q. The crowd in Montreal discovered you this week. What will you remember of the love the Montreal crowd gave you this week and your experience overall here in the city?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah. It was a good experience playing for the fist time in Montreal. Yeah, I really liked the crowd and the night session matches. They were nice for the players and for the spectators.

I think it's a good environment of tennis overall. So, yeah, I hope I can come here again in two years because it's a nice tournament.

Q. Rafa, I was wondering what are your objectives until the end of the calendar. Do you hope to qualify for the ATP finals at the end? Do you hope to do some damage in the Grand Slam in the United States? What do you expect from the last few months?

RAFAEL JODAR: No. My objective is to get ready for the next match in Cincinnati.

Q. Just quick one on the match. What makes his serve so difficult to return? Is it the angle, the kick? Is it something?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, I mean, yeah, he served well today, especially in the important points. So, yeah, I try to return, yeah, as good as possible, but today didn't go my way.

So, yeah, great to him that in this surface, you know, that is a thing that he can take a lot of advantage and, yeah, from then he can start the points with better perspective.