LAVER CUP

September 25, 2026

Rafael Jodar

Tim Henman

O2 Arena

Team Europe

Press Conference

R. JODAR/A. Bublik

6-2, 6-3

Team Europe - 2

Team World - 1

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, Tim and Rafael. What an amazing win on your Laver Cup debut. Would you like to just talk us through the match.

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah. First of all, thank you very much. I knew it was going to be a very tough match. Always playing the first matches in events is difficult, but I think I handled very well the important and difficult situations in this match.

I played against a very tough opponent, you know, who played I think great tennis, as well, but I think in important points I played better today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just talk about how long it took you to get used to the court, too. It can be a tricky court, right? Looked like you were both kind of searching for rhythm in those first three or so games, but then you really kind of kicked it into gear?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I think the first four and five games really helped me to get used to the court. I already, you know, practiced in these courts for a few days, but I think playing practice sets and matches are totally different.

So I think these four games that I think lasted, like, 30 minutes for both players, I think for me really help me to get used to the court and to get in more rhythm and get the break, you know, for then serving for the first set.

And then in the second set, I think I played very, very solid and with clear ideas.

Q. Rafa, you're someone that's familiar playing team tennis. The last two events you've played have been team events, and then you had your experience at UVA as a college athlete. What about being in a team environment, playing this sport, do you enjoy most?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, I think these type of events are different from what we are used to on the tour. I think we're traveling a lot alone. You know, we don't play a lot of team events.

So when we have the opportunity, Davis Cup, Laver Cup, I think these events make us value of this sport. I think that last year really help me, you know, to be in an environment where I can share a lot of things with the players, with the coaches, where they are always there to help.

So, yeah, I'm very grateful that I spent one year last year in college to get used to these type of environments and to have people that are always there for me.

Q. Congratulations on your win, Rafa. I saw you had an issue with your shoelace towards the beginning of the match, and this has been an ongoing theme recently. I remember in Cincinnati you brought out a big bag of shoes after it happened. Why do you think it keeps happening, and will we be seeing the reemergence of a big bag of shoes in your next match?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, I think it's the way I slide, especially in these courts, in hard court. You know, with these type of courts, the way I slide, especially to hit the forehand or when I run to the net, you know, for a dropshot, I think it's a way of my shoe where it has a lot of tension, you know, I would say in the shoelace.

So, yeah, I think that's why I break a lot of shoelaces, but fortunately I have many shoes, so I can replace them easily, and I don't have to spend a lot of time changing the shoelace. So I just have another pair prepared or another shoe prepared so I can, you know, change it faster.

Q. The bench has been going absolutely crazy today with celebrations. Is there ever a point in that you actually get to switch off and feel more like a fan and appreciate your teammates' style?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, I think it's great, you know, to have so many good players in the bench. I think they help me in any way they can, or even when I'm in the bench, I try to, you know, help them.

We have two great captains, Tim and Yannick, that are always giving us advice, what to do, because I think they know very well this competition, and they know how to play and how to compete against the other players.

So I think it's great, you know, to have these kind of people in your bench and that they are also enjoying what you do. It's something very special for me.

Q. Congrats on the win. It's been an incredible year for you. Obviously you've flown up the rankings, and it was a near-perfect Laver Cup debut. Do you have any goals in mind for 2027 that you see now?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, my main goal is to improve, to get better. It is my first year on tour, so I have still a lot of things to improve.

I can be a better player, so I have always been a person who has worked really hard and who has worked a lot to get the point where I am now.

I think it's a good situation, but at the same time, I want more. You know, I'm aware that I can be a better player in the future and that I can compete against the top players on tour.

So, yeah, my goal is to keep improving, keep enjoying the game, and keep enjoying the opportunities like this, you know, a team event like the Laver Cup here in London.