French Open star denies pushing ball girl after viral clip sees him slammed

Jeremy Goldstein Sat, May 30, 2026 at 5:00 AM UTC

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Rafael Jodar

Rafael Jodar is into the fourth round of the French Open (Image: Getty Images)

Rafael Jodar is one of just a handful of remaining seeded players in the fourth round of the 2026 French Open after his 7-6, 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over American Alex Michaelsen on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

No. 27 seed Jodar was not the most notable 19-year-old French Open winner on Friday - that honor went to Joao Fonseca, who knocked off Novak Djokovic in a historic upset.

Still, Jadar's win sent him to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his young career. However, the Spaniard's actions in between sets attracted far more attention than his play on it.

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Jodar was speaking with someone in the crowd while exiting the court when he crossed paths with a Roland Garros ballgirl, who stumbled and fell backward.

The 19-year-old was asked by a reporter postgame if the move was intentional. "I didn't touch her. No, no, no. I could never do that," he declared.

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Jodar revealed that he was speaking to his father in the press box. "She was walking backwards, and I didn't push her or anything," he 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. But she was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way."

Jodar added that he "appreciates" the work of the ball kids. "So when she was walking backward, she fell with that. But obviously, I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing," he added. "I know it's difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there, so I appreciate it. I could never push a ball kid."

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The 19-year-old reached the second round of the 2026 Australian Open, his first career major appearance. Jodar will face his countryman Pablo Carreno Busta, fresh off a win over Thiago Agustín Tirante, for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Both players are among the 16 men's players left in the French Open draw who have never won a Grand Slam, meaning a new major champion will be crowned next week.

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Source: “AOL Sports”