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Rafa Jódar's nonstop sprint: 'Playing so many matches is a good sign. I have plenty of rhythm' Image: Christinne Muschi (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian P)
🇪🇸 Spain /Sports

Rafa Jódar's nonstop sprint: 'Playing so many matches is a good sign. I have plenty of rhythm'

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Spanish teenager Rafa Jódar has emerged as one of the season's biggest revelations and is entering his first senior US Open after playing 50 matches.
  • Jódar says the heavy schedule helps him improve by keeping him in tournament mode and regularly facing top players.
  • Roger Federer has praised Jódar's ability to maintain his level after a rapid rise.

Rafa Jódar's first appearance at the senior US Open comes after a season so busy that the 18-year-old has already played 50 matches. Rather than seeing the workload as a burden, the Madrid player views it as evidence that he is advancing.

I think I've achieved it thanks to my mentality and the way I am

— Rafa JódarJódar reflected on the mindset behind his breakthrough in New York.

"If I play a lot of matches, it's a good sign because I'm progressing through tournaments," Jódar says. He believes every week against the world's best, including practice sessions with them, accelerates his development. Remaining physically and mentally competitive, he says, keeps him permanently in tournament mode.

Jódar's rise began in New York, where he made his name as a 17-year-old by overturning a junior final against Norway's Budkov Kjaer, then the top seed and favorite. He returns with very different expectations, now viewed as the season's major breakthrough player and a fast-rising contender for the top 10.

I have very good memories of that week. I was able to develop as a player here, at a Grand Slam, and that helps a lot. I'm very happy to be back

— Rafa JódarJódar discussed returning to New York for his first senior US Open.

Roger Federer has also taken notice. "What he's doing is incredible. A few months ago, I never would have imagined he could do it. The way he's managing to maintain his level is simply incredible," Federer said.

What he's doing is incredible. A few months ago, I never would have imagined he could do it. The way he's managing to maintain his level is simply incredible

— Roger FedererFederer praised Jódar's rapid rise and consistency.

Despite the attention, Jódar remains reserved and focused on daily work. He says recovery away from the court has become essential as he continues learning life on the elite tour, with little sign of complacency.

Playing a lot of matches is a good sign because I'm progressing through tournaments

— Rafa JódarJódar defended his heavy schedule as evidence of progress.
About this summary

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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