Rafael Jodar Breaks Silence After Ball Kid Swearing Controversy During Shanghai Masters: “It Was My Mistake”

Rafael Jodar will be playing his career’s second Masters 1000 semifinal. On Friday (October 16), the Spaniard came from a set down to defeat Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to book a berth in the semifinal of the Shanghai Masters on his maiden appearance.

Jodar made his debut on the ATP Tour this season and was ranked No.167 at the start of the season. But thanks to his impressive performances, he now stands in 13th position and is in contention for the ATP Finals.

Jodar, however, has also sparked backlash on multiple occasions, including his conduct toward the ball kids. During the French Open, a camera angle suggested he shoved a ball kid, but later angles showed she had only stumbled.

But now, during his fourth-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp in Shanghai, the 20-year-old, after losing a backhand, yelled, “Give me the ( ) towel, damn it!” to a ball kid in Spanish. Chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote, who speaks Spanish, heard it and handed him a code violation. Jodar tried to protest, but to no avail.

Although Jodar was not asked about the incident by reporters after that match, he was asked about it after his win over Ruud. Jodar apologized for his mistakes.

I would like to explain that. Yeah, it was my mistake. After the match, I thought about it, and I shouldn’t have done that to the ball kid. It was my mistake. I respect a lot the ball kids and the umpires in the match, in all the matches and all the tournaments. I shouldn’t have treated the ball kid the way I did. I was very frustrated because of how the match was going for me. It was a very close point. And, yeah, I didn’t mean to hurt the feelings of the ball kid or anything.

Rafael Jodar said at the press conference (H/T: Tennis365)

If Jodar wins the Shanghai Masters, he will become the fastest men’s player to reach the top 10 after breaking into the top 100. He will reach this milestone in 203 days, breaking Boris Becker‘s record of 210 days.

So, yeah, it was my mistake, and I’ll try not to do it again, because that’s not the right way to treat the ball kids. I respect their job a lot and, yeah, it wasn’t anything against him or against any ball kids or umpire. After what I did, I should have, you know, accepted the warning that I got because it was totally right, and the umpire made the right decision.

Rafael Jodar added

Here’s the video of the incident:

Aquí el vídeo de lo que ha pasado. No te puedes comportar como un niño de 13 años y hablar así a un niño que trabaja para tí voluntariamente. Indefendible esta actitud de Rafa Jódar, por mucha tensión que tenga en el partido🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/annH2oKNKi

— Vacherotismo (@vacherotismo) October 14, 2026

Rafael Jodar will face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals

Rafael Jodar has a tough challenge in the semifinals in the form of Daniil Medvedev, who clinched a three-set win over Tommy Paul in the previous round. Jodar will be facing the 2021 US Open champion for the first time in his career.

Medvedev is chasing his second title in the tournament, having won the Shanghai Masters in 2019 by defeating Alexander Zverev. He will be playing in the semifinal of this event for the third time in his career.

It will also be his third Masters 1000 semifinal of the season following the Indian Wells and Italian Open. At Indian Wells, he reached the final but couldn’t end his Masters 1000 title drought, losing to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Before the Shanghai Masters, Jodar reached the semifinal of the Canadian Open. He is chasing the second title of his career following his win at the Grand Prix Hassan II. Medvedev is chasing his fourth title of the season.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Vows to Correct ‘Pretty Useless Habit’ After Rivals’ Complaints