Rafael Jodar denies pushing ball girl on way off court after third-round French Open win - 'I could never do that'

The incident occurred as Jodar left the court between sets at the Grand Slam.

The Spaniard tossed a water bottle to his coaching team and then appeared to come into contact with the ball girl, who stumbled backwards and then regained her balance.

Jodar was looking up at his box and made a gesture towards them as he carried on walking.

Asked about it afterwards, Jodar said: ”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.”

Jodar won 7-6(2) 6-7(5) 4-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. 

He is 18-3 on clay this season, tying world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who was beaten in the second round, for the most wins on the surface.

Jodar said that two Spanish greats have been inspirations for him. 

”I try to develop my own style, but my role model in tennis when I was younger was Rafael Nadal," Jodar added. 

”Then in the last few years before I turned pro, I could say probably Carlos Alcaraz. You know, both from Spain, from the same country as me.

”So I think those were my two role models when I was growing up. But, as I said before, I try to follow my own path, and I try to develop as a player, with my own spirit.”

Jodar’s rapid rise has been one of the stories of the season.

He was playing college tennis in the US this time last year and only turned pro at the start of the season.

He says he still has a ”huge margin” to improve further.

He explained: ”I think I'm an aggressive player who likes to dominate the points, but I think here on clay, you have to defend a little bit more,” he said about his playing style.

”So I am trying to develop that game as well. I'm now trying to develop all my weak points, like, for example, the forehand, the serve, the return. I think those are things that I still have to develop. 

”But, overall, I think I still have a margin of huge development.”

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