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A new Roland Garros camera angle appears to support Rafa Jodar’s claim that he never pushed a ball girl, dramatically changing the narrative around a viral controversy.
(Screengrab from X)
The internet had already reached its verdict. Then a new camera angle emerged.
Spanish teenager Rafa Jodar found himself at the centre of a social media storm this week after a viral clip from Roland Garros appeared to show him seemingly pushing a ball girl while walking back towards his player box.
C’est quoi de ce joueur Jodar là ? Il se prend pour qui à bousculer une jeune ramasseuse de balles comme ça ? 😤Qu’il présente des excuses publiques ! C’est scandaleux. 😤#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/HB1lH0L6qK
— Bleu Blanc Rouge ! 🇫🇷 (@LBleuBlancRouge) May 29, 2026
The footage spread rapidly across platforms, triggering criticism and accusations of poor sportsmanship against one of tennis’ rising stars.
Viral Clip Sparks Backlash
The controversy erupted shortly after Jodar’s match when a short video began circulating online. From the original angle, it appeared as though the Spaniard brushed past the ball girl, causing her to stumble and fall.
The reaction was swift. Fans questioned his conduct, while others condemned what they believed was a disrespectful act towards a court official.
Jodar, however, immediately pushed back against the accusations.
Speaking after the match, the teenager insisted there had been no contact whatsoever.
“I didn’t touch her. No, no, no. I could never do that.”
At the time, many remained unconvinced, largely because the available footage seemed to suggest otherwise.
New Angle Changes The Picture
The conversation shifted dramatically after a second camera angle surfaced online.
A false narrative that Rafa Jodar shoved a ball girl at Roland Garros went viralHe didn’t. She trips over the poorly placed tarp while he’s gesturing to his father in the crowd
When asked:
‘I didn’t touch her. No, no, no… I could never do that’pic.twitter.com/1r6yRBghj1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 30, 2026
Viewed from a different perspective, the new footage appears to show that Jodar never actually makes contact with the ball girl. Instead, she seems to lose her footing while moving backwards near the sideline, tripping over the edge of the court covering.
The timing of the fall coincides almost perfectly with Jodar’s movement, creating what many observers now believe was a misleading visual illusion in the original clip.
Rather than being connected, the two actions appear to have occurred independently.
Jodar’s Explanation Gains Credibility
Jodar had maintained from the beginning that he was simply signalling towards his father in the stands.
“I didn’t 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,” he explained.
“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, like, fell, but not because I push(ed) her.”
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