Tennis world reacts after Spanish star Rafael Jodar denies pushing a ball girl at French Open

The tennis world has reacted after Spanish star Rafael Jodar strongly refuted claims he pushed a ball girl after footage emerged of his French Open third round victory.

While Jodar was seen between sets in his five-set victory over American Alex Michelsen, with the viral footage showing him throwing a water bottle into his box as a ball girl crossed his path.

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The footage was inconclusive, although the girl briefly lost her footing before regaining her balance, with the 19-year-old dismissing any accusation that he had made contact.

“I didn’t touch her,” Jodar stated forcefully. ‘No, no, no. I could never do that.’

While tennis legend Martina Navratilova quoted the clip, adding: “Hmm… not okay.”

But others defended Jodar and pointed to the tarpaulin at the back of the court, with former ATP pro Chris Eubanks noting: “The girl tripped over the tarpaulin. The angle makes it look like he pushed her, but to me it’s very clear she tripped over the tarpaulin trying to get out of the way.”

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And former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs agreed that the tarpaulin once again proved to be a hazard: “I finally saw the video of Jodar. He didn’t touch the ball boy. He was undoubtedly walking close to her while gesturing to his father, but the girl clearly trips over the tarpaulin and tries to get out of the way as he leaves the court.”

The stiff covers and tarps on the pitch have proven to be a controversial topic at Roland Garros this year, with injuries to Katie Boulter, Zeynep Sonmez and Alexander Blockx blamed for the hazard.

He explained that he gestured to his father, who was sitting in the players’ box, to hand him items after a bathroom break.

“I didn’t pressure her or anything. I told my father to give me the things he would give me after a toilet break when I came back,” Jodar clarified after the match.

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“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.”

The 27th seed attributed the ball girl’s stumble to the coverage of the court.

“It was right behind her. So when she walked back, she fell with it,” he said, underscoring his respect for the young helpers.

“I appreciate all the work that the ball kids do. I know it’s hard with the heat and the conditions to stay out there, so I appreciate it. I could never, you know, push a ball kid.”

Despite the controversy, Jodar secured a hard-fought 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, advancing to the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time in his career.

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After his victory on Friday, Jodar will now face compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in the next round for a place in the quarter-finals.

A new grand slam champion will be crowned at this year’s men’s tournament after Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat to Joao Fonseca at Roland Garros on Friday evening.

AP contributed to this piece

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