Rafael Jodar apologises for Shanghai ball kid outburst

Rafael Jodar swore at a ball kid during his fourth-round match at the Shanghai Masters, receiving a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The 20-year-old Spaniard, ranked 13th in the world, won the match against Botic van de Zandschulp on Wednesday, Oct. 14, but the incident drew immediate scrutiny from chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote.

Jodar was heard yelling an expletive in Spanish: “¡Dame la puta toalla, coño!” The phrase translates to “Give me the f------ towel, damn it!” Umpire Jimmy Pinoargote, who is from Ecuador and speaks Spanish, told Jodar he could not speak to ball kids like that and issued the violation. Jodar initially claimed he hadn’t said anything wrong and asked the umpire to repeat what he said, but the chair official declined to repeat the expletive.

Jodar's response and reflection

After initial denial, Jodar accepted responsibility following his quarter-final win over Casper Ruud on Friday. He expressed regret for his actions toward the ball kid and acknowledged the umpire made the right decision.

I shouldn't have done that to the ball kid. It was my mistake, Jodar said. He explained his frustration was with his own performance during a close point, not directed at the individual. Jodar said he would like to meet the ball kid in person to apologise and regretted not accepting the warning initially.

He compared learning emotional control to mastering a forehand or backhand, stating it is a skill he is still developing. I’m not perfect, I’m a human, I make mistakes, so I’ll learn from this mistake to not do it again, Jodar added.

Context of past behaviour and external reaction

The Shanghai incident echoes a prior allegation from the French Open earlier in the year. In May, Jodar was accused of shoving a ball kid, with footage of the incident circulating on social media. He denied pushing the child, saying the ball kid was walking backwards and tripped, possibly over a cover.

Fellow players offered mixed reactions to his conduct in Shanghai. John Isner commented on the Nothing Major podcast, acknowledging Jodar's frustration and the intense pressure of the tour. Isner said the criticism was too harsh given Jodar's youth, but added the player needs to improve his conduct.

Former American star Steve Johnson praised Jodar's performances in Shanghai, calling him a very good tennis player. Johnson attributed some of Jodar's recent confusing losses, including a second-round exit at the US Open and a first-round loss in Tokyo, to the young player adjusting to life on the tour.

What's at stake in Shanghai and beyond

Jodar's semi-final run puts him in contention for a top-10 debut, the ATP Finals, and the biggest title of his career. He started his first full ATP Tour season ranked No. 168 in the world. Winning the Shanghai Masters would propel him into the world's top 10 for the first time.

His victory over Casper Ruud also strengthened his bid to qualify for the year-end ATP Finals in Turin. Jodar currently occupies the last qualifying spot in the race, with a narrow lead over his closest rivals.

Jodar will face either Daniil Medvedev or Tommy Paul in the semi-finals for a place in the final on Saturday.