SHANGHAI — Rafael Jodar advanced to the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals with a 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4 win over Botic van de Zandschulp, but his fourth-round victory was overshadowed by criticism for his behavior toward a ball kid following a disputed line call. The 20-year-old Spaniard, seeded 12th, will next face Casper Ruud.
Jodar dropped the opening set and was on break point at 30-40 in the first game of the second set when his backhand passing shot down the line was called long. Visibly exasperated, the Spaniard gestured toward chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote before approaching the ball kid at the end of the point and shouting, “¡Dame la puta toalla, coño!” which translates to “Give me the f***** towel, damn it!” Uruguayan umpire Pinoargote issued Jodar a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, telling him: “I understand, Rafa, but not like this. Rafa, ask me and I will ask them about it, but not like this.” Jodar tried to deny making the remarks, but Pinoargote stood by the call.
Replays showed the shot missed by several centimeters, but former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs questioned the accuracy of the ball mark. “Got to say, I saw the replay of Jodar and that call, and that ball mark was NOT correct. You can clearly see on the replay it looks almost in to be honest but to show a ball mark THAT far out, no way!!” she wrote on X. The four-time women’s Grand Slam doubles winner added, “His behaviour towards the ball kid! Not ok!” making clear the disputed call did not excuse Jodar’s actions.
Jodar broke Van de Zandschulp in the opening game of the second set, the pair traded breaks midway through the set, and the Spaniard served out to force a decider before earning two breaks in the third to close the match. It is not the first time Jodar has been involved in an incident with ball kids, as he appeared to push a ball kid during the French Open at Roland Garros in June.