Sports · Tennis · 3 hrs ago
Rafael Jodar warned after swearing at ball boy over towel
Spanish tennis player Rafael Jodar swore at a ball boy during a match in Shanghai on Wednesday.
The exchange began when Jodar demanded a towel after losing two break points in a row.
Chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote warned him for unsportsmanlike conduct and said players should not speak to ball staff that way.
Jodar challenged the warning and said he had not said anything bad to the ball boy.
Jodar went on to beat Botic Van De Zandschulp in three sets and reach the quarter-finals.
The incident follows a separate controversy at the French Open in May, when Jodar denied pushing a ball girl after footage showed her lose her footing as he passed.
The Shanghai exchange adds to scrutiny of Jodar's conduct, but the account gives no further disciplinary action.
Rafael Jodar was warned for unsportsmanlike conduct after swearing at a ball boy while asking for a towel during a match in Shanghai.
The Spanish player disputed the warning and said he had not said anything wrong.
Chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote told Jodar to ask him for the towel instead of speaking to the ball boy that way.
Jodar went on to beat Botic Van De Zandschulp in three sets and reach the quarter-finals.
The incident followed a separate May controversy in which Jodar denied pushing a ball girl at the French Open.
- Who
- Rafael Jodar, a Spanish tennis player, and chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote.
- What
- Jodar was warned for unsportsmanlike conduct after swearing at a ball boy while asking for a towel.
- When
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
- Where
- During a match in Shanghai.
- Why
- The umpire said Jodar should not speak to the ball boy that way and should ask the umpire for the towel.
Rafael Jodar
Jimmy Pinoargorte
Warning
Rafael Jodar
Jodar questioned the warning and said he had not said anything bad to the ball boy.
Jimmy Pinoargorte
Pinoargorte said Jodar’s manner of speaking was not acceptable and told him to ask the umpire for the towel.
Jodar was accused of pushing a ball girl at the French Open and denied touching or pushing her.
During a match in Shanghai, Jodar swore at a ball boy while asking for a towel and received a warning.
Jodar beat Botic Van De Zandschulp in three sets to reach the quarter-finals.
- Player
- Rafael Jodar
- Warning
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
- Chair umpire
- Jimmy Pinoargorte
- Opponent
- Botic Van De Zandschulp
- Tournament location
- Shanghai
What people are saying
You give me a warning, man?
But I didn't say anything bad to him.
I understand, but not like that. Ask me and I'll ask him.
Not like that, we don't talk to them like that.
Posts on X
LA SECUENCIA COMPLETA DE LO SUCEDIDO CON RAFAEL JÓDAR. — Jódar a un ball kid: "¡Dame la puta toalla, coño!" — Juez de silla: Le pone un warning. — Jódar: "Me pones un warning, tío...". — Juez de silla: "Yo entiendo, pero así no. Pídemelo a mí y yo se lo pido". — Jódar: