Spanish tennis player Rafael Jodar found himself at the centre of controversy on Friday after allegations surfaced of him pushing a ball girl during his hard-fought third-round match at the French Open. Jodar, who ultimately secured a dramatic five-set victory to progress to the fourth round for the first time in his career, vehemently denied the accusation following the match.
The incident reportedly took place during a tense moment in the deciding set of Jodar's encounter against an unseeded opponent. Footage circulating online, though not conclusive, appeared to show Jodar making contact with a ball girl as she moved to retrieve a ball. The umpire did not issue a warning or penalty at the time, and play continued without interruption.
Speaking to reporters after his 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win, Jodar addressed the claims directly. "I absolutely did not push her," he stated. "It was a very quick moment, I was focused on the ball and my next shot. I might have brushed past her, but it was accidental, not intentional in any way. I would never intentionally push anyone, especially not a ball girl who is just doing her job."
The ball girl involved did not appear to be injured and continued her duties throughout the remainder of the match. French Open officials have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident, and it remains unclear whether any further investigation will be launched. Such actions, if proven intentional, can carry penalties ranging from fines to disqualification, depending on the severity and intent.
Despite the off-court distraction, Jodar's performance on court marked a significant milestone for the Spaniard. Reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam is a career-best achievement, and he will now face a formidable challenge in the next stage of the tournament. His focus will undoubtedly be on maintaining his form and continuing his unexpected run in Paris, while hoping the controversy subsides.