Rafael Jodar unabashed about Jannik Sinner

Rafael Jodar in an interview with Corriere della Sera returned to talk about Jannik Sinner, who he faced in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters 1000. The rising star of Spanish tennis took the Azzurro as a model: “Walking off the court without regrets is a good thing. Then if the opponent was better, like Jannik at the Caja Magica, it fits.”

“I sound like a 19-year-old Sinner? Well I take that as a compliment. He can only be a role model for me. Before he’s a champion, he’s a beautiful person. He could pull a lot of strings and instead he is the same as he was when he started his journey. I learned a lot from the defeat with him.”

Jodar analyzed the match with the South Tyrolean this way, “My level is not yet his. But there were moments in the match when there was match, when I said to myself, wow, Rafa, you can hold your own against the world No. 1! My ball speed was not up to the mark. It needs to be raised. With Dad, we told each other that everything can be improved: the serve, the response, the net game. Every day I strive to become a better tennis player than the day before.”

For now, the coach will remain his father: “I grew up with Dad, I owe everything to him. He didn’t stop being a professor: he became my personal prof. I see no reason to change coaches now.”

Many Spanish tennis greats are helping him grow: “David Ferrer is the Davis captain of Spain. Thanks to him I was able to join the team as a sparring partner in 2024 and train with Alcaraz, whom I now consider a friend. If there is a fearless one, it is Carlos! I love everything about him. But all decisions about me are made by my father and me.”