Rafael Jodar’s treatment of ball kids has been a talking point throughout his breakout season. On Wednesday in Shanghai, the rising Spanish star found himself in hot water once again.
The Spaniard was handed an unsportsmanlike conduct warning by Ecuadorian chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargate after an angry exchange with a ball kid his round of 16 clash with Botic van de Zandschulp.
The incident occurred early in the second set, just after Van de Zandschulp saved a break point at 7-6, 30-40 in the opening game. Jodar’s remarks to the ball kid were made off camera, but he reportedly demanded something to the effect of, “Give me the damn towel already.” (According to AFP it was “Give me the fucking towel!”)
Pinoargate was having none of it.
“You know what you said,” the umpire told Jodar as the Spaniard attempted to explain himself.
“That’s not how we speak to them,” Pinoargate added.
The exchange was brief but pointed, with the umpire making clear that Jodar’s manner of addressing the ball kid was unacceptable.
Jodar has faced criticism for his interactions with ball kids during his rapid rise on the ATP Tour. Whether all of that scrutiny has been warranted is open to debate, but Wednesday’s incident left little room for interpretation, with the chair umpire issuing a formal warning.
The controversy did not derail Jodar’s afternoon. The Spaniard recovered from a set down to defeat Van de Zandschulp 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2, booking his place in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals. Jodar has come back from a set down in all three of his wins so far in Shanghai. He defeated Augustin Tirante 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, then took out Jiri Lehecka, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.
The 20-year-old Spaniard will face Casper Ruud for a place in the quarterfinals.
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