Video Has Fans Convinced Rafael Jodar Shoved French Open Ball Girl

Spanish phenom Rafael Jodar is being accused of mistreating the ball kids at the 2026 French Open.

Jodar, 19, continued his run at Roland Garros this Friday with a gutsy win over Alex Michelsen. While fans enjoyed his play on the court, they're convinced he mistreated a ball girl during his match.

A video that's going viral on social media shows a ball girl slipping at Court Simonne-Mathieu as Jodar is walking by. It somewhat looks as if Jodar shoves her, but the video is inconclusive.

Jodar, meanwhile, told reporters that he didn't push the young girl.

"No, I mean… I finished the second or third set. I don't remember which set it was. She was walking backwards and I think she… I didn't push her or anything," Jodar said. "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… 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 fell, but not because I pushed her, because it was something for, like… what do you call it? The mop?"

After being corrected by a reporter, Jodar said it was the court cover that took the ball girl out.

"The court cover… yeah. It was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards she fell with that. But obviously 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."

Fans are not thrilled with Jodar.

Despite his post-match comments, Jodar isn't receiving any sympathy from tennis fans this week.

"Pathetic attitude from Rafa Jodar....I mean he's talented but this attitude doesn't belong in the tennis court," one fan said.

"Jodar is such an insufferable idiot! He doesn't respect anyone! He mistreats the ballkids every single time he plays," a second fan wrote.

"They need to give him a wake-up call already from his own team," another fan commented.

Clearly, Jodar will need to earn fans' trust over the next few months.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 11:04 AM.