Mats Wilander, former world tennis number 1, on Rafa Jódar’s great unfinished business: “At the moment he’s not even close to being good enough”
In addition to Carlos AlcarazSpanish tennis has another very important asset in the US Open 2026. We refer to Rafa Jodarwhich is about to enter the top 10 after a sensational season in which it has achieved such outstanding results as the title in Marrakech, the final in Washington or the semifinals in Godó and Montreal.
Such has been the emergence of the Madrid native on the circuit, that he has already there are those who even dare to give him as a candidate to even fight for Grand Slam titles.
However, not everything is praise for the current world number 13, whom a tennis legend like Mats Wilander sees some shortcomings.
“I think Rafa Jódar has great talent, but he does not have powerful blows. “He will be a candidate to win some Grand Slams, but I don’t see in him the same potential that I see in Arthur Fils,” said the former world number 1 on ‘Eurosport’, who He believes that service is his great weak point.
“At the moment it’s not even close to being good enough.. Service improves with age. This is what Djokovic and Federer did. And in the case of Jódar, I think that if he improves his service, he could reach the top 5 in the world,” said the former Swedish tennis player.
He was more generous in his analysis. Roger Federerwho stated in an interview with the ESPN network that his rise “has been incredible.” “A few months ago I wouldn’t have imagined it and I don’t think anyone would have done it.. The way he is managing to maintain his level is incredible,” said the five-time US Open champion, who added that he also liked Shelton and Fonseca. “They are great hitters, players who look for important shots and who also have great personalities.”
Rafa Jódar will begin his career in the US Open against the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakisand if they win, against the winner of Marozsan-Zheng. He would not meet a seed, Casper Ruud, until the third round and in the round of 16, with Alex De Miñaur, sixth seed, until a hypothetical quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev if all the hierarchy predictions of the seeds come true.
