Spanish Player Rafael Jodar Denies Pushing Ball Girl at French Open
Spanish tennis player Rafael Jodar has denied pushing a ball girl out of his way during his third-round match against American Alex Michelsen at the French Open. The incident, which occurred between sets, was captured on video and shared on social media, but the footage did not provide a clear picture of what happened.
Jodar, who was 27th-seeded in the tournament, had just thrown a bottle of water into his box using his left hand when a ball girl suddenly walked across his path. He quickly clarified that he did not touch her, stating, “I didn’t touch her. No, no, no. I could never do that.”
The ball girl lost her footing momentarily before regaining her balance. It remained unclear whether there was any contact as Jodar was also seen gesturing to someone in his box — whom he later identified as his father — with his left hand while passing by the girl.
“I didn’t push her or anything,” Jodar explained after the match. “I was telling my dad to give me the things that he was going to give me after a toilet break when I was coming back. She was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way. She was going backwards, but I think she, like, fell, but not because I pushed her.”
According to Jodar, the ball girl got her feet tangled in the court cover. He described how the cover was right behind her, and when she was walking backwards, she fell with it.
“I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing,” Jodar said. “I know it’s difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there, so I appreciate. I could never, you know, push a ball kid.”
Jodar’s comments came after he secured a victory in a thrilling five-set match, winning 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This win marked his first time advancing to the fourth round at a major tennis tournament.
Key Points from Jodar’s Statement
- Jodar denied pushing the ball girl during the match.
- The incident occurred between sets, and the footage was inconclusive.
- The ball girl lost her footing but regained her balance.
- Jodar claimed he was gesturing to his father while passing by the girl.
- He explained that the ball girl may have fallen due to the court cover.
- Jodar expressed appreciation for the work of the ball kids.
- His victory in the match was significant, marking his first fourth-round appearance at a major tournament.
Impact of the Incident
The incident sparked discussions among fans and media, with many questioning whether Jodar had indeed pushed the ball girl. However, Jodar’s denial and explanation helped clarify the situation, emphasizing that he had no intention of harming the ball girl.
His response also highlighted the challenges faced by ball kids, especially under extreme weather conditions. Jodar acknowledged their efforts and stressed that he would never intentionally harm them.
As the French Open continues, the focus will remain on the players’ performances and the exciting matches taking place on the courts. Fans can watch all the action from Roland-Garros 2026 live and on demand on Stan Sport, with centre court in 4K UHD. World-class coverage is also available on 9Gem and streaming on 9Now.
