ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 10, 2026

Rafael Jodar

Mixed Zone

R. JODAR/T. Tirante

4-6, 6-2, 6-3

Q. Big win today. How does it feel to get back on the winning feeling on the ATP Tour?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, everyone here plays very good. Especially starting as an unseeded player in the second round, it gets tougher.

So, yeah, I had to play very good today to win my match, and happy how I handled the important moments. Thiago was a very good player today, he did the things very well, as well as me. But, yes, few points from me today I think kind of balanced the game in my way.

Q. It's a long season, it's your first full season on tour. How are you feeling physically at this stage of the season after playing a lot this year and doing so well? Are you still feeling fresh or how is your energy levels?

RAFAEL JODAR: Yeah, trying to getting there. I know I played a lot this year, but that's a good reason, because I've done well in most of the tournaments, so I'm happy about that.

It's the first season, so it's still a lot of things to improve and to learn this first season. When I finish the first season, I will be able to kind of analyze what I have to play next year and next season, and how I should approach the calendar and the schedule for me.

But, yeah, the first season, I cannot, you know, like drop a tournament. It's new for me, so I just have to discover them. The second season, I can select what tournaments I should play.

Q. About this life-changing season, for example, recently you played against Chile for Davis Cup, and Laver Cup in London, then you play here. Now, every tournament you go, now you have a lot of commitments that before you didn't have. So all this new part of life that is except not only tennis, how you start to manage it outside the court?

RAFAEL JODAR: Well, we have to adapt, it's part of our job. We have to try to handle it the best way possible. If the people around the tournament respect the players, I think that's the best way, because we have great connection and great chemistry, you know.

And, yeah, it's true that we have to do some media, but I think it's part of the event and, yeah, whatever we have to do, we try to do it in the best way possible.

Q. You said you are starting to thinking about also the next season. Recently, Juan Carlos Ferrero spoke about you, and he said, I wouldn't dislike to work with him. Any talks ongoing with him? Do you have any idea to expand your team, or are you just talking right now?

RAFAEL JODAR: Right now I'm going to focus on my next match, which is a very tough match. After this, I have two more tournaments, three in case I get selected for the Davis Cup for Spain, which will be a tournament that I am very motivated about. Then there's about a month to think about the next season and to get ready for the next season.