Sawt Falasteen - Rising Spain star Jodar wants to 'follow own path' at Roland Garros

To further add weight to his shoulders, the 19-year-old 29th seed will be the second highest-ranked player from the tennis powerhouse of Spain at the French Open this year, following the withdrawal through injury of double-reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.

"Being from the same country as Carlos and Rafa (Nadal), doesn't mean you are going to accomplish or achieve the same things that they have won," Jodar said.

The Madrid native added that being at Roland Garros to compete in the senior draw for the first time put into perspective for him the achievements of Nadal -- a 14-time winner of the clay-court Grand Slam.

"Rafa has done great things in this tournament. It's unbelievable and amazing what he has accomplished and achieved in this tournament," he said.

"When you are in the tournament and when you are playing the tournament, you really appreciate and you really give importance of what he has done here, winning 14 times. It's something unique."

But Jodar said he wanted to forge his own furrow as he prepares for just his second appearance at a major.

"I just try to follow my own path, try to do my career, and enjoy the process, because it's great to be in all these places playing against these great players," he said.

- 'A great year' -

So far in his fledgling career, Jodar certainly has done things differently to most of his compatriots.

After being a top-ranked junior, he chose to enrol in the United States college system and this time last year was playing tennis in Virginia.

"It was a great year for me. I learned a lot. I played a lot of matches, and I developed a lot as a tennis player and as a person," he said.

"I could live alone without parents, with the coaches obviously supporting me and with my teammates, as well. They always wanted the best for me. It was a great experience. I have good memories about my stay and my year at the University of Virginia, and it was another chapter in my career."

Since returning to Europe and turning professional, Jodar's rise has been dizzying.

After a second-round exit at his first major at the Australian Open in January, for which he had to come through qualifying, Jodar now enters Roland Garros ranked inside the top 30 following a breakthrough clay-court swing.

In March, he won his first tour-level title in Marrakesh, before backing it up with last-eight runs at both the Madrid and Italian Opens, as well as reaching the semi-finals in Barcelona.

"It will be a new experience for me, a new challenge," Jodar said.

"I'm looking forward to starting the tournament and trying to play my best tennis and without any expectations, because everyone here plays very well. If they have a good day, they can beat you.

"Knowing that it will be my first French Open, and enjoying the experience, because when I was younger, I always dreamed about playing on this kind of stages and in the Grand Slams."

Jodar opens his maiden Roland Garros campaign against American Aleksandar Kovacevic.

K.AbuTaha--SF-PST