The 2026 French Open is quickly becoming defined as much by what is happening on the sidelines as what is happening between the lines. While Roland Garros had to issue an urgent statement about player safety, Lacoste ads, and courtside tarps, an incident involving 19-year-old Spanish rising star Rafael Jódar, a ball kid, and those very tarps quickly went viral.
Martina Navratilova Fires Back At Rafael Jodar-Ball Girl Incident Amid Divided Tennis Reactions
During his 4-hour and 16-minute third-round victory over American Alex Michelsen (7-6, 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3), a video of Jódar went viral on social media, appearing to show the 27th seed shoving a ball girl out of his way during a changeover.
Between sets, as Jódar left the court for a toilet break, he was seen striding toward the sideline, throwing a water bottle to his crew and gesturing with his hands. A ball girl, trying to move out of his path, falls to the ground just as the Spaniard walks past her.
Due to the camera angle, many viewers thought Jódar was pushing the child aside carelessly, and the backlash was harsh. Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova quickly weighed in on X, reposting the video with a brief caption: “Hmm… not ok.”
Hmm… not ok https://t.co/QfmLtG7fqJ
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 29, 2026
However, different angles and slow-motion replays corrected the narrative.
Former ATP pro Chris Eubanks took to Threads to defend the young Spaniard, pointing out that the real culprit in the fall is the tarps. “The girl tripped on the tarp. The angle makes it look like he pushed her but to me, it’s very clear she tripped on the tarp trying to get out of his way.”
Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs strongly backed up Eubanks’ view after reviewing the footage, writing on X:
“I finally saw the video of Jodar. He didn’t touch the ball kid. He walked close to her no question while gesturing at his dad but the girl clearly trips over the court tarp trying to get out of the way as he walks out of the court.”
The ball girl tripped over the same rigid courtside covers and tarps that had already caused injuries to Katie Boulter, Zeynep Sonmez, and Alexander Blockx earlier in the week.
Jodar’s five-set win was so special for him, as he is reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. But the Spaniard was immediately peppered with questions about the incident during his post-match press conference.
Jódar explained he was just looking up at his player box. “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,” he explained.
“She was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way. She was going backward, but I think she fell, but not because I pushed her… The [tarp], it was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards she fell with that. Obviously I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing. I know it’s difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there so I appreciate. I could never, you know, push a ball kid,” he added.
While the internet remains divided on the incident, Roland Garros released a statement promising immediate “adjustments” to the court setup, and hopefully, players and ball kids can now have a safer environment.
