Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar has once again found himself at the centre of a social media storm at the French Open, after footage showed him leaving a ball girl hanging during a handshake exchange following his second-round defeat. The 19-year-old, who won the junior title at Roland Garros last year, appeared to ignore the young volunteer as she offered a high-five, turning away to collect his towel instead.
The moment, which has since gone viral, comes just 48 hours after Jodar was forced to clarify that he did not push a ball boy during his first-round victory. In that earlier incident, video appeared to show him shoving a child aside, though Jodar insisted it was an accidental collision caused by his momentum after a point.
Speaking after the latest incident, Jodar said: 'I did not see her. I was frustrated after losing and thinking about the match. I would never intentionally ignore a ball kid. I respect them very much.' Tournament organisers have not issued a formal statement, but sources suggest they are monitoring the situation.
The incidents have reignited discussions about the pressures faced by young players on the professional circuit, and the treatment of ball kids who volunteer at Grand Slam events. Ball kids at Roland Garros are typically aged between 12 and 16 and undergo rigorous training before being selected.
Jodar, currently ranked 135th in the world, will now turn his attention to the grass-court season, where he is expected to feature in qualifying events ahead of Wimbledon. His behaviour in Paris has drawn criticism from some fans and pundits, though others have urged restraint, pointing to his age and the emotional intensity of top-level sport.