Rafael J\u00f3dar is facing controversy at the French Open amid claims that he pushed a ball kid during his French Open third-round match on Friday. The Spaniard made it through to the Round of 16 with a hard-fought 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Alex Michelsen.<\/p>\n
Rafael J\u00f3dar Defends Himself After Claims That He Pushed a Ball Kid<\/p>\n
During the third-round match between J\u00f3dar and Michelsen, a video went viral of the former seemingly bumping into a ball kid. The 19-year-old has denied those claims and was adamant after the match that he did not push the ball kid.<\/p>\n
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During his post-match press conference, J\u00f3dar was quick to refute claims that he pushed a ball kid.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember which set it was. She was walking backwards and I think she\u2026 I didn\u2019t push her or anything. I was telling my dad to give me the things that he was going to give me after a toilet break when I was coming back\u2026 she was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way. She was going backwards but I think she fell, but not because I pushed her, because it was something for, like\u2026 what do you call it? The mop?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards she fell with that. But obviously I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing. I know it\u2019s difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there so I appreciate. I could never, you know, push a ball kid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The video angles were inconclusive on whether J\u00f3dar was at fault in the incident, but some fans were critical<\/a> of the youngster, who is making his French Open debut this year.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n J\u00f3dar is enjoying a dream run on clay in what is his first full-time season on the ATP Tour. He won his maiden ATP Tour title last month in Morocco, and has since made the semifinals in Barcelona, the quarterfinals in Madrid and Rome, and now has his sights set on a deep run at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n