Roland Garros has a fresh controversy on its hands, and it centers on 19-year-old Spanish sensation Rafael Jodar. A video clip circulating online has sparked fierce debate, with many fans convinced that Jodar shoved a ball girl during his third-round match against Alex Michelsen. The incident, which took place at Court Simonne-Mathieu, has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a gutsy win that propelled Jodar into the second week of the tournament.
The footage, which has been viewed thousands of times on social media, shows a ball girl stumbling and falling to the ground as Jodar walks past. The angle is inconclusive—some see a deliberate push, others a clumsy accident. But the internet has made up its mind, and the backlash has been swift and harsh.
Jodar, however, insists he did nothing wrong. In his post-match press conference, he explained that the ball girl was walking backward to get out of his way and tripped over a court cover, not his hand. “No, I mean… I finished the second or third set. I don’t remember which set it was. She was walking backwards and I think she… I didn’t push her or anything,” Jodar said. “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 fell, but not because I pushed her, because it was something for, like… what do you call it? The mop?”
After a reporter clarified he meant the court cover, Jodar agreed. “The court cover… yeah. It was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards she fell with that. But obviously I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing. 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.”
Despite his explanation, tennis fans are not buying it. Social media erupted with criticism, with many calling his behavior “pathetic” and “insufferable.” One fan wrote, “Pathetic attitude from Rafa Jodar….I mean he’s talented but this attitude doesn’t belong in the tennis court.” Another added, “Jodar is such an insufferable idiot! He doesn’t respect anyone! He mistreats the ballkids every single time he plays.” A third commenter urged his team to intervene: “They need to give him a wake-up call already from his own team.”
This isn’t the first time a player’s conduct toward ball kids has made headlines at the French Open. Earlier this year, a similar controversy erupted when a men’s player was fined for a misogynistic rant directed at a ball girl, highlighting the tournament’s zero-tolerance policy for mistreatment of staff. Jodar’s case, while less explicit, has reignited conversations about respect on court.
Jodar, who is making his main-draw debut at Roland Garros, has shown immense promise on the court. His victory over Michelsen was a gritty, hard-fought battle that earned him a spot in the round of 16—a remarkable feat for a teenager. But off-court behavior is now drawing as much attention as his tennis. The young Spaniard will need to win back fans’ trust in the coming months, especially as he navigates the pressure of a Grand Slam spotlight.
For now, the video remains a talking point, and Jodar’s reputation is on the line. Whether it was a shove or an unfortunate accident, the court of public opinion has already delivered its verdict.
