Match Reaction
Jodar after Sinner defeat: ‘There’s a long road ahead’
#NextGenATP Spaniard leaves Madrid at 18th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin
April 29, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Jodar made his first ATP Masters quarter-final at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he fell to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff
Rafael Jodar now has a taste of what it is like to be on the other side of the net from a No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings.
The 19-year-old Spaniard fell to Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Wednesday, and he did not disappoint. The Madrid native proved his competitiveness inside the Manolo Santana Stadium, from where he will take some invaluable lessons for the future.
“It was a tough match,” Jodar said. “Jannik played really well throughout. I take away a lot of positives, I’ve learnt a lot from this match. There were times in which I competed head to head with him. I have a long road ahead to keep proving my level. I will take those positives with me. I’ve played a lot of matches here in Madrid and Barcelona. I’ll try to rest, recover well and think about the next tournaments.”
At the end of the match, Sinner showed his respect for the Spaniard by signing the TV camera with a compliment: “What a player!,” but later encouraged the media to give a young man taking the Tour by storm the time and space he needs.
“I agree,” Jodar said, continuing on from the World No. 1. “It’s my first year on Tour, there are a lot of tournaments left this season and many seasons in the future. I have to try to improve and make sure I learn from this. I have to try and handle it in the best way possible. Knowing that everyone plays well, these results don’t make me better than I am. Everyone has the desire to win, I have to keep my feet on the ground and be aware that everyone can beat you.”
Jodar’s run in Madrid was, perhaps, a glimpse of greatness. Although Jodar took on some high-calibre opponents in the Caja Magica, including the first Top-10 win of his career against Alex de Minaur, Sinner proved too much.
“Jannik is a very complete player and he shows that in the key moments of the match. He knows how to demonstrate a lot of confidence,” said Jodar, who watched Sinner slip from his grasp time and time again. The Italian fought off seven break points on his way to victory. “I had the opportunity to play with him in a match that was equal in many moments. I have to analyse how I played those points and change it next time I play against a player of this level or against him.”
Jodar, who arrived in Madrid having won his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech and reached the semi-finals in Barcelona, will now go forward with many more eyes on him. The 19-year-old is 18th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and, with Rome and Roland Garros on the horizon, Jodar’s new mission is to keep improving as he negotiates his future.
“I don’t think I’ll change, I’ll keep being the same person,” Jodar said. “It’s been amazing to have the chance to play in Madrid and reach the quarters. I know there’s a long road ahead and this is the first step.”
Jodar is a new arrival on a Tour dominated by Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Asked about the possibility of forming part of a ‘Big 4’ that would also include Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, whom he beat in the third round in Madrid, Jodar gave a level-headed response.
“Time will tell. Both Carlos and Jannik are great players,” said Jodar, who has qualified for the 2026 PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator, which offers additional playing opportunities for the best up-and-coming talents in the sport. “They have proved they have a great level and consistency in all tournaments. Joao and I are very young, we have to learn and keep improving a lot if we want to reach that level.”
