“You won’t get only pats on the back”: Toni Nadal reacts to Rafael Jódar’s tense US Open exchange
ATPFriday, 04 September 2026 at 21:30
Toni Nadal has offered a blunt assessment of Rafael Jódar's tense exchange with a journalist following his shock US Open defeat, insisting that the 19-year-old must learn to accept uncomfortable questions as part of the pressure that comes with his rapid rise.
Speaking on Radioestadio Noche, Nadal also questioned Jódar's performance against Bu Yunchaokete, arguing that the Spaniard lacked an alternative plan when things went wrong.
Jódar arrived at the US Open as the No. 12 seed after an extraordinary breakthrough season that had seen him surge up the rankings and establish himself as one of the most exciting young players on the ATP Tour. However, his New York campaign ended in stunning fashion as he was beaten 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 by Chinese lucky loser Bu Yunchaokete in the first round.
The defeat was followed by an awkward moment during Jódar's press conference. A journalist attempted to ask him about the online attention surrounding his repeated shoelace problems and whether he had become more conscious of how comments about his physical condition were being discussed.
Jódar initially struggled to understand the question before responding with visible irritation and asking, “What is the question?” as the exchange became increasingly uncomfortable.
Nadal believes that increased attention inevitably brings greater pressure both on and off the court.
Toni Nadal says Jódar must accept the pressure
Nadal admitted that Jódar's defeat surprised him, but he also praised Bu for producing a performance that exposed the Spaniard's inability to change the course of the match once his initial approach stopped working.
“Jódar’s defeat surprised me. He wasn’t at his best, but the opponent also surprised me because he played at a very high level," the Spaniard coach said. "Jódar has had a very good season, but from this point on, the pressure begins. Jódar was missing a Plan B.”
The result represented a major upset given the difference between the two players' rankings and the trajectory of their respective seasons. Jódar had established himself as a top-level contender in 2026, while Bu entered the tournament as a lucky loser ranked well outside the Top 100.
But Nadal's strongest comments concerned what happened after the match. While he acknowledged that some questions can understandably be frustrating for a player immediately after a heavy defeat, he argued that Jódar's age means he should be learning to deal with that side of professional tennis.
“On the one hand, I understand that sometimes a question can annoy you. But when you are a young player who has burst onto the scene with the force that Jódar has, and you have created so many expectations, at 19 you have to accept things. If they ask you an uncomfortable question, that is normal; you don’t have to get upset.”
‘It won’t always be pats on the back’
Jódar's rise has been remarkably fast. The Spaniard has accumulated a huge amount of attention during his breakthrough campaign, and his No. 12 seeding in New York reflected just how far he had come in a short period of time.
That status, however, also changes the expectations surrounding him. Nadal's argument is that dealing with difficult questions is part of the adjustment Jódar now has to make as his profile continues to grow.
“When you are young, sometimes you have to accept things a little more. It’s true that as the years go by, you can perhaps get tired of what people ask you, but at 19 I don’t think that time has come yet. And if they ask you a somewhat uncomfortable question, well, that’s normal, isn’t it? It’s not going to be all pats on the back.”
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Jódar will now have to process both sides of his US Open experience. On court, Nadal believes the teenager must develop the tactical flexibility to find a Plan B when his preferred game is not working. Off court, he faces the less comfortable reality of becoming a high-profile player whose performances and comments will attract considerably more attention.
For Nadal, that is simply part of the next stage of Jódar's development — and one that comes with the territory after the remarkable rise that made him one of the biggest talking points in Spanish tennis this season.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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