‘I’m always humble’ says ‘New Rafa’ Jodar after reaching quarter-finals at French Open
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Jodar beat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 on Sunday to ensure his place in the French Open quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top of the game, having been ranked lower than world No. 700 just a year ago. His emergence during the Sunshine Swing and deep runs in the subsequent ATP 1000 events has seen him now become one of the favourites to lift the title in Paris.
Not since 1996 has a men’s draw at the French Open been without a Spanish competitor and now Jodar is flying the flag for his country because of Nadal’s retirement and Carlos Alcaraz’s injury.Per ATP, Jodar has also become just the sixth man since the turn of the millenium to reach the final eight at Roland-Garros on debut. Juan Carlos Ferrero, Martin Verkerk, Nadal, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune are the only others to achieve that feat.
But speaking on court after coming from two sets behind to continue his fairytale run, Jodar ensured he would not let the success change his outlook.
“I’m the same person,” Jodar said. “I’ll always be the same person.
Rafael Jodar – Pablo Carreno Busta – Roland-Garros highlights
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“Always very, very humble but I appreciate all the people that came to support me here today, it was a great crowd and a great atmosphere. Thank you very much – it was amazing to play here.”
He also gave a special mention to those in attendance still celebrating Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League final victory over Arsenal via penalties on Saturday.
“I also want to say congrats to PSG fans for their win last night,” Jodar said. “Very well deserved.”
The early signs were pointing towards Jodar exiting the tournament, seemingly reeling from the five-set marathon he edged against Alex Michelsen in the prior round.
He fell two sets behind against Carreno Busta, who is 15 years his senior, before charging back with two breaks to reduce the arrears.
Carreno Busta appeared to be hampered by a slight issue and called the physio to tend to a right shoulder problem between the third and fourth sets, Jodar seemingly frustrated by the delay as he engaged in a heated discussion with the chair umpire.
And the teenager successfully continued his wave of momentum to claim double breaks in the fourth and fifth sets while remaining unbroken on his own serve to complete an excellent turnaround, eventually converting his fifth match point as his opponent doggedly fought to stay in the draw.
Jodar spoke afterwards about the change he made which turned the match in his favour.
Watch: Jodar frustrated at Carreno Busta’s medical time out as clash gets tense
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”It’s difficult because he has a great backhand,” Jodar said. ”When we’re playing cross with the backhand, it’s difficult to change because he’s playing deep in the court. I tried not to rush the shots and not make a lot of unforced errors. I think that was the key in the first two sets, so I tried to change that.”
‘A very difficult challenge’
Jodar will face the ultimate test in the quarter-finals against title favourite Alexander Zverev.
If he were to beat the German, a path to the title would open itself up to the Spaniard, with Sinner, Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic all out.
But Jodar is also one to be feared. Zverev, speaking on court after his victory against Jesper de Jong on Sunday, is wary of the threat the teenager will pose.
“He won? Awesome,” Zverev said. “He’s a very young player, incredibly talented. He’s come on the scene this clay court season from being outside the top 100 to now being almost top 20 within two months.
“He’s playing incredible tennis, so it’s going to be a very difficult challenge, but I have to trust myself, and I’ll be ready for it.”
‘I’ll be ready’ – Zverev looks ahead to clash with ‘incredibly talented’ Jodar
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Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker feels Jodar represents a “real challenge” in Zverev’s bid to capitalise on the exits of his closest rivals.
“Now he faces the newcomer of the season, Rafael Jodar,” Becker said. “He plays like a house on fire, especially on clay. When Sascha heard who he was up against, he winced a bit. This is a real challenge, a real test for him.
“If you want to win seven matches at a Grand Slam, you can’t play every match perfectly – it’s all about winning the ones that really matter to you.”
In a staggering few days of high-profile upsets at Roland-Garros, both the men’s and women’s draws will crown new French Open champions.
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