Rafael Jodar Responds After French Open Ball Girl Backlash: ‘I Could Never Do That'

Spanish tennis star Rafael Jodar is clapping back at critics after a video of him allegedly pushing a ball girl at the 2026 French Open went viral. The 19-year-old defended himself in a post-match press conference at Roland-Garros last week.

Did Rafael Jodar push a child at the 2026 French Open?

Here's what supposedly happened: Jodar played a stellar game against American Alex Michelson on Friday, May 29. Midway through the five-set match, he walked off the court and seemingly (according to social media, at least) pushed a ball girl out of his way.

Cropped and edited videos surfaced, leading the public to believe that Jodar had struck the child. Some clips from sites like Reddit were removed for spreading misinformation. And this put the events of the day into question.

Of course, it didn't stop the speculation. One Redditor wrote, "There were already times in past matches when he was extremely rude to the ball boys/girls demanding water and stuff…that being said, I'm not 100% sure that he pushed the girl in this video," while others said, "The full screen one shows how the girl slips with the tarp, and that is why she falls" and, "After rewatching the vid like 10 times he dorsn't actually touch her. Took me til the 10th watch to see the girl moved back on her own and he was gesturing."

What did Rafael Jodar say about the French Open ball kid controversy?

During a post-match press conference, a reporter asked the tennis star about the incident. Jodar spoke candidly, giving his view of the events: "I finished the third, the second, or the third set. I don't remember which set it was and she was walking backward and I think she like…yeah, I mean, I didn't like I didn't push her or anything."

He continued, "I just, 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, but yes, she was in the middle, so I think she was like trying to get out of the way and she was going backwards, but I think she like fell, but not because I pushed her."

Jodar added to his explanation, saying, "But obviously I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing, you know, and I know it's difficult, you know, when the heat and the conditions to stay there, so I appreciate, and I could never, you know, push a ball kid."

When the reporter pressed the matter, asking Jodar if he had indeed touched girl with his hands, the tennis player fiercely fired back, "No, I didn't touch her. No, no, no. I mean, I could never do that."

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 11:14 AM.