Credit: Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Rafael Jodar shut down claims that he shoved a ball girl after his match at the French Open on May 29
- A camera angle makes it seem like the Spanish player made contact with a ball kid, who stumbles at the same time the athlete’s hand swings upwards in her direction
- Jodar was asked about the situation in a post-match press conference, where he explained the situation and alleged he didn’t push her
Rafael Jodar is speaking out after sparking controversy involving a ball girl at the 2026 French Open.
The Spanish tennis star, 19, is being accused of shoving a ball kid at the Roland-Garros tournament as he exited the court after he had just won a five-set match over American Alex Michelsen on Friday, May 29, based on footage that’s since amassed over eight million views on social media.
Jodar defended himself when asked what happened between him and the ball girl on the court during his post-match press conference. He alleged he didn’t make contact with her and explained the situation.
Credit: Franco Arland/Getty
“No, I didn’t touch her. I mean, I would never do that,” Jodar said in the press conference. “She was walking backwards… I didn’t push her or anything. I was saying to my dad to give me the things he was going to give me after my toilet break when I was coming back.”
“But yes, she was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way going backwards,” he continued to explain of the ball girl’s divisive stumble. “But I think she fell, not because I pushed her, but because it was something… the cover, was right behind her,” he said of the mat on the floor.
“Obviously I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing,” Jodar added. “I know it’s difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there, so I appreciate and I could never push a ball kid… I didn’t touch her. I could never do that.”
The internet is divided on what really occurred on the court because of the camera angle, which is shot from Jodar’s backside with the ball girl facing the lens. In the playback, the athlete’s left hand swings upward at the same time the ball girl stumbles in that same direction.
Credit: The Tennis Pass/YouTube
However, the camera angle makes it unclear whether the athlete actually makes contact with the ball girl that causes her to stumble — or whether she accidentally tripped over herself in an attempt to get out of the player’s way when he exited the court after his match.
“If you watch the video in slow motion, you can see that she stumbles on the tarp all by herself,” a user wrote on X.
“He didn’t push her; he reached out his hand toward the guy above, and the girl stumbled while backing away.The video is misleading; don’t fall for it,” said another online.
Credit: Andy Cheung/Getty
In contrast, a third X user wrote: “I hope he gets fined and apologizes to the ball girl.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the ATP for comment, but didn’t immediately hear back.
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Since then, Jodar has forged ahead in pursuit of securing the French Open title, reaching his first major quarterfinal on Sunday, May 31.
Next, world No. 29 Jodar will take on third-ranked Alexander Zverev on Tuesday, June 2.
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