'She was walking backwards' - Tennis star responds after being accused of pushing ball girl at French Open
Rafael Jodar has responded after he was accused of pushing a ball girl at the French Open.
Jodar beat Alex Michelsen 7-6(2) 6-7(5) 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the third round of the Grand Slam, making it to the fourth phase of the competition for the first time in his career.
However, the 19-year-old hit headlined after appearing to be involved in an incident with a ball girl.
A video went viral from the game in question, showing a girl looking to lose balance when Jodar walked past her in between one of the sets.
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She stumbled and a video circulating online quickly accrued millions of views online, with it inferred that Jorar made contact.
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova was among those to react, writing on X: "Hmm… not ok".
Jodar was asked about the incident in a press conference and categorically denied that he touched the girl and explained what happened.
Jodar stated: ”I didn't touch her. No, no, no. I could never do that.
”She was walking backwards, and I didn't push her or anything. 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.
”She was going backwards, but I think she fell, but not because I pushed her, because the court cover 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 it. I could never push a ball kid.”
Opinions on Jodar's statement were mixed but Rennae Stubbs, a former world doubles champion, agreed with his explanation and said that the girl had tripped over the tarp which has been attributed to injuries suffered by Katie Boulter, Zeynep Sonmez and Alexander Blockx at Roland Garros.
She commented: "He walked close to her no question while gesturing at his dad but the girl clearly trips over the court tarp trying to get out of the way as he walks out of the court.”
Ex professional Chris Eubanks shared the same view, adding: "The angle makes it look like he pushed her but to me, it’s very clear she tripped on the tarp trying to get out of his way.”
Jodar will now face fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round of a tournament which has seen world No.1 Jannik Sinner and record 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic eliminated in the early stages of the competition.
Topics: Tennis
Josh Lawless