Rafael Jodar has publicly apologized for his behaviour towards a ball kid at the Shanghai Masters, admitting that frustration got the better of him during the incident. The Spaniard took responsibility for his actions after reaching the semifinals, acknowledging that his treatment of the young worker was wrong and promising to learn from the experience.
The apology came after Jodar produced another significant performance in Shanghai, defeating Casper Ruud to reach the last four. The 19-year-old has continued to make an impression during his first season as a professional, becoming the youngest semifinalist at the tournament since it became part of the ATP Tour calendar.
Jodar's run has been one of the standout stories of the tournament, with his aggressive groundstrokes and particularly effective returning helping him overcome established opponents. His victory over Ruud further demonstrated his ability to compete against players with considerably more experience at the highest level, setting up a semifinal encounter with Daniil Medvedev.
However, the sporting achievement came after an incident that generated considerable criticism on social media. Jodar had faced calls to address his behaviour towards the ball kid, and he used his post-match press conference to explain what happened, accept responsibility and make clear that he regretted his actions.
Jódar accepts responsibility and apologizes after Shanghai incident
Jódar did not attempt to justify his behaviour when discussing the incident. Instead, he explained that frustration during a difficult moment in the match had affected his emotions, while emphasizing that he respects the work carried out by ball kids and officials across the tour.
“I would like to explain what happened. I made a mistake," the 20-year-old player said after his quarterfinals victory over Ruud. "I thought about it after the match: I should not have done that to the ball kid. It was my mistake. I have the utmost respect for ball kids and umpires at every match and every tournament. I should not have treated the ball kid the way I did.”
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
The Spaniard also explained the circumstances behind his reaction, admitting that he failed to control his emotions after a tightly contested point. He stressed that he had not intended to make the ball kid feel uncomfortable, although he recognized that his intentions did not excuse his behaviour.
“I was very frustrated with how the match was going. I had just played a very tight point. I did not want to make the ball kid feel bad, far from it. I was simply frustrated with myself. I could not control my emotions at that point in the match.”
Jodar went further by acknowledging that the chair umpire had been right to issue a warning. “After what I did, I should have accepted the warning, because he was absolutely right, and I know the umpire did his job properly.”
The young Spaniard also expressed his intention to apologize directly to the ball kid if he had the opportunity to see him again at the tournament. “I am not perfect; I am human, and I make mistakes. I will learn from this mistake so that I do not make it again next time.”
Jodar beats Ruud to reach Shanghai semifinals
The incident did not appear to derail Jodar's performance against Ruud. The Spaniard delivered a strong display to overcome the Norwegian, using the pace and accuracy of his groundstrokes to put pressure on his opponent. His returning was particularly effective, with several shots landing close to the lines and preventing Ruud from settling into his usual patterns.
The world No. 13 also showed composure during a difficult stretch in the second set, weathering Ruud's resistance before increasing the pressure and taking control of the match. The victory secured his place in the semifinals and added another milestone to a breakthrough season in which he has continued to exceed expectations.
His next challenge will be against Medvedev, with a place in the final at stake. The Russian represents another demanding test for Jodar, who will need to maintain the level of aggression and concentration that carried him past Ruud. Reaching the championship match would mark another major step forward in his rapid development on the ATP Tour.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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