Rafael Jodar is facing criticism online after a clip from his French Open match against Alex Michelsen appeared to show him pushing a ball girl during a changeover. The footage spread quickly across social media, with many viewers accusing the 19-year-old Spaniard of inappropriate behaviour.
However, as more camera angles emerged, several people argued that the incident may not have happened the way it first appeared. Jodar has since denied touching the ball girl and said he would never behave that way.
The Clip Sparks Criticism
The incident took place during Jodar’s third-round match at the French Open 2026. In the video, the young Spaniard can be seen walking towards his player box during a changeover after tossing aside a water bottle.
At the
same moment, a ball girl standing nearby appears to lose her balance and fall. Because of the angle from which the clip was recorded, several viewers believed Jodar had pushed her while moving past.
The video quickly triggered strong reactions online, with some tennis fans accusing the teenager of disrespectful behaviour.
Jodar Explains What Happened
After the match, Jodar firmly denied making any contact with the ball girl. “I didn’t touch her,” he said as per Associated Press. “No, no, no. I could never do that.”
The Spanish player explained that he was communicating with his father about items he needed after returning from a toilet break.
“I didn’t push her or anything. 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,” Jodar said. He added that the ball girl was trying to move away at the same time.
“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 push(ed) her. It was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards, she fell with that,” Jodar said.
The teenager also praised the work done by ball kids during tournaments. “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,” he concluded.
He Still Won The Match
The controversy unfolded during what turned out to be a memorable day for Jodar on court.
The Spaniard recovered from a difficult phase in the match to defeat Michelsen 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The victory sent him into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Multiple Angles Tell A Different Story
As the debate continued, many social media users began looking at slowed-down footage and alternative camera angles.
A user wrote, “I thought it looked pretty obvious that he pushed her in normal speed. But when I slowed down the video frame by frame, it’s impossible for the trajectory of his hand to touch her. Its pretty obvious he didn’t make contact with her at all. She just tripped when she walked back.”
Pathetic attitude from Rafa Jodar….I mean he’s talented but this attitude doesn’t belong in the tennis court..
Threw the towel at the ball kid 🤬pic.twitter.com/N3i9WuuGnz
— SK (@Djoko_UTD) May 29, 2026
Another commented, “He is telling the truth, it seems he pushes her, but she actually tripped whit the court cover when he was gesturing, this is from another angle.”
A third user added, “It is the angle that makes it looks like that you tosspot! Apologise for this post immediately.”
What Does The Footage Show?
A closer look at the incident suggests the situation may not be what it first appeared to be. While the original clip seemed to show Jodar pushing the ball girl, other angles indicate that she may have tripped over something on the court while stepping backwards.
Because Jodar moved his arm at the same moment, the perspective of the viral video created the impression that he had made contact with her.
Several viewers pointed to the additional footage as evidence that there was no physical contact between Jodar and the ball girl, despite the initial appearance of the clip.
