The young Rafael Jódar, 19 years old, suffers greatly and asks the physio to massage his calves in the final stretch of the match against Jesper de Jong. There are already 35 games in those legs this year, the first among the elite, and the body still has to get used to the continuous beating. The Spanish starts badly, another breath of fresh air, but he reacts and the stands keep it in their memory: . There are already 27 victories in this season of discovery, the first in the San Fermín neighborhood, and the boy celebrates it: “Hey, Jude! Let’s go!” Real Madrid player Bellingham applauds and he is already aiming for Friday: 2-6, 7-5 and 6-6 (in 2h 31m) guides him towards the fight with the eighth in the world, Alex de Miñaur.
From one scenario to another, from Barcelona to Madrid, two radically different realities; two very different scenarios, two atmospheres that have little to do with each other and two Jodars. From that free one that enjoyed itself, to this other one that today suffers in the depths of the Caja Mágica, a framework that is always complex and even more so for the Spanish, for the young people and even more so for the debutants. It was never easy to adapt or get the hang of a tournament that, for example, choked the now director Garbiñe Muguruza; also to another Madrid native, Martín Landaluce, who three years ago – he was 17 – succumbed to Richard Gasquet and everything that a debut implies.
Playing at home, a double-edged sword for the tennis player. Jódar proves it now, the same one who recently and, with a series of eight consecutive victories, and who now feels the tremors. From the beginning, uphill. Far from the good feelings of last week, many difficulties with the serve – only 44% of serves in the first set – and disorder in the rally; in tow of an incisive De Jong who sniffs out those growing nerves and who fiercely attacks the Spaniard’s seconds. “Breathe!” a fan tries to encourage him after four breaks. But, uncomfortable all the time, he doesn’t quite get on the right track.
The photo attracts attention. On one side, in the boxhis father tries to suggest clues surrounded by empty seats and metal sheets, with his usual discretion. In contrast to other players, Jódar entrusts himself exclusively to the guidelines of his father, who also does not like what he sees. That forehand and backhand shot, so neat, does nothing, frequently crashes into the net (12 input errors) and the deep delivery flies excessively long. Madrid, something different. More difficult than normal to control the ball. An extra newton means failure. I remembered him, who apparently knows something: “This tournament is one of the most demanding.”
The impression of number one coincides with that of the entire circuit, with everyone aware of the complexity and trickiness of height and frame. The new Jódar also knows this, who in addition to tennis has guts. Given what we have seen, he is not bad at coming back either. The man from Madrid calibrates again and little by little, in fits and starts and without De Jong allowing him to enjoy himself, he corrects himself and gains space. On the fifth attempt he closed the second set and balanced the duel, and despite the setback in the final – from 3-1 favorable to 3-3 – he prevailed again. Grit your teeth, a trademark of the house, and say hello to that crowd that is now enjoying another refreshing talent. Madrid embraces are Fuck.
