Rafael Jodar Praises Montreal Crowd After Canadian Open Exit

Following his semi-final exit at the Canadian Open 2026 against Brandon Nakashima, 19-year-old Spanish star Rafael Jodar shared glowing remarks about his debut appearance in Montreal.

Despite falling short of reaching his maiden Masters 1000 final, Jodar took time during his post-match press conference to highlight the overwhelming support and energy from the Canadian tennis fans.

A Great Experience

Reflecting on his memorable week in Canada, Jodar emphasized how much he enjoyed competing in front of the local spectators:

"Playing in Montreal for the first time was a great experience. I really enjoyed the crowd's atmosphere and the evening matches; it was great for both players and spectators," Jodar stated. "I find that the overall atmosphere around tennis is very good, and I hope to come back in two years because it's a beautiful tournament."

The crowd rallied strongly behind the young Spaniard during his semi-final match, enthusiastically chanting his name as he saved four match points in a hard-fought second set.

Learning from Defeat

Acknowledging that he wasn't at his absolute peak during the match, Jodar remained composed and focused on the broader picture of his career progression.

• On His Performance: "It's clear that I didn't play my best tennis today, but he also played well. Credit to him because he played better than me, especially on the important points."

• Moving Forward: "I think defeats are also educational... For now, I'm focusing on my preparation for my next match in Cincinnati."

Having become the first player born in 2006 to reach a Masters 1000 semi-final, Jodar leaves Montreal with valuable experience as he shifts his focus toward the upcoming Cincinnati Open and the US Open 2026.