Serena Williams’ Coach Slams Rafael Jodar Over Foul-Mouthed Outburst at Ball Kid During Shanghai Masters

Rafael Jodar will lock horns with Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters.

Serena Williams’ Coach Slams Rafael Jodar Over Foul-Mouthed Outburst at Ball Kid During Shanghai Masters

Rafael Jodar (Image via Sky Sports)

Rafael Jodar once again found himself at the receiving end of criticism due to his behavior toward a ball kid. During his fourth-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday (October 14), the 20-year-old was penalized for swearing after a contentious call.

After Jodar smashed a backhand in the opening game of the second set, he stood at the net in disbelief as the ball was called out. Jodar was already at risk of receiving a time-violation warning as he took time to return to his position to return the serve. But under pressure, he took out his frustrations on a ball kid by swearing, “Give me the ( ) towel, damn it!”

Chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote, who speaks Spanish, heard what Jodar said and slapped him with a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. Jodar denied saying anything bad and asked Pinoargote to repeat what he said. But Pinoargote made it clear he couldn’t repeat it.

Watch the video here:

Replays of Jodar’s backhand showed that he had missed the mark, but Serena Williams‘ coach, Rennae Stubbs, was not of the same opinion.

Got to say, I saw the replay of Jodar and that call, and that ball mark was NOT correct. You can clearly see on the replay it looks almost in to be honest but to show a ball mark THAT far out, no way!!

Rennae Stubbs wrote on X

Check out her post here:

But Stubbs also made it clear that she was not at all a fan of the way Jodar behaved toward the ball kid, writing, “His behaviour towards the ball kid! Not ok!” on X.

Check out her post here:

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Rafael Jodar on his match against Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Jodar, who started the season ranked No. 165 and now stands in 13th place, is in contention for the ATP Finals, which kicks off on November 15. At the press conference after reaching the quarterfinals of the penultimate Masters 1000 of the season, Jodar did not address the ball kid controversy.

Rafael Jodar (2)
Rafael Jodar (Image via TennisWorldUSA)

Yeah, I’m very happy how the week is going for me. In this case, I’ve already done three comebacks, losing the first set in all three matches. But I’m very proud of my fight and the spirit of fighting always, and super happy to be in the quarter-finals here for the first time in Shanghai.

Jodar was then asked whether he thought of changing the game plan after losing the first set.

Well, some details I did some adjustments. I think starting with the break up in the first game of the second set, that allowed me to get into that second set with a better shape and with better mentality. I was trying to fight until the last point, even if I was losing the first set. I wouldn’t say I was playing that badly in the first set, it was just that he played important points better than me, that’s about it.

Jodar, aiming to reach his career’s second Masters 1000 semifinal, will next lock horns with Casper Ruud. The Norwegian ace received the walkover from Felix Auger-Aliassime in the previous round.

Jodar reached the semifinal only once at this level, at the Canadian Open, where his run ended at the hands of eventual runner-up Brandon Nakashima. Playing on the ATP Tour for the first time, Jodar has already reached one Masters 1000 semifinal, one Grand Slam quarterfinal, as well as two finals, winning the Grand Prix Hassan II by beating Marco Trungelliti and losing the Citi Open to Taylor Fritz.

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