Rafael Jodar is through to his first Grand Slam quarter-final after producing a comeback win over compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta at the French Open.
The 19-year-old withstood an early test from an experienced Carreno Busta before fighting back to seal a 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory. Jodar lost five games in a row when leading 4-1 in the opening set and then lost a further four consecutive games at the start of the second. However, he managed to turn his fortunes around against his fellow countryman, who, halfway through the match, underwent treatment on his right shoulder. In the last three sets, the youngster didn’t face a single break point.
“I want to congratulate Pablo on the match and on the tournament. He has done an amazing tournament. We are good friends and practise together sometimes when we are in Spain,” Jodar said afterwards.
“I wish him the best of luck for the next tournament. I am super happy with the win.”
It is the first time the rising star has won a match from two sets down. As to what the key to his comeback against Carreno Busta was, Jodar says it was being patient and having a good mentality.
“It is difficult because he has a great backhand. When we are playing crosscourt, with the backhand it is difficult to change because he plays very, very deep in the court,” he explained.
“Just try not to rush it, not rush the shots and try to be there mentally as well 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 and I think it worked really well.”
Jodar is only the fourth Spanish teenager to reach the last eight of the Paris in the Open Era and the first to do so since Carlos Alcaraz. He is also the first player since Holger Rune to reach the quarter-finals in his main draw debut.
Ranked outside the world’s top 700 this time last year, Jodar has produced a rapid rise on the Tour. During the clay swing, he won his first ATP title in Marrakech, reached the semi-finals in Barcelona, and then was a quarter-finalist at two Masters 1000 events. As a result of his Paris run, he is on the verge of making his top 20 debut and is currently 22nd in the live rankings.
“I will always be the same person. Always be very humble,” he said of his rise.
Jodar is coached by his father, who also goes by the same name. A PE teacher by occupation, Rafael Jodar Sr also played basketball in his youth.
“He deserves a lot of credit. He has always been there with me since I was a kid. I am super grateful to have him and to have other members of my family with me today,” Jodar said of his father.
“He has been my biggest support since I was very young. I want to thank him for everything he has done for me.”
Jodar is the youngest man to win a match from two sets down during the second week of Roland Garros since Michael Chang in 1989.
