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Rafael Jodar can’t seem to stay out of the headlines.
Two days after being forced to deny that he shoved a ball girl, the young Spanish tennis player has been involved in another incident with a young guest at the French Open.
As Jodar walked onto the court for his round of 16 matchup against Pablo Carreño Busta on Sunday, a child mascot stood waiting for the teenager with an outstretched hand.
However, Jodar either ignored or didn’t see the young girl, as he walked right past her.
Footage of the confusing moment has quickly gained traction online after he was accused of pushing a ball girl the round prior.
Rafael Jodar appeared to ignore a child mascot before his round of 16 match. France TélévisionsBetween sets during his match against Alex Michelsen, a ball girl walked into Jodar’s path as he walked off of the court.
He then raised his hand to say something to his dad nearby, and the girl was sent backwards as she lost her balance.
The quick sequence created the appearance that Jodar had pushed the ball girl, though he denied doing so after the match and said that she may have tripped over a tarp on the court.
“She was walking backwards, I mean, I didn’t push her or anything,” Jodar said after beating Michelsen.
“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.
“But yeah, 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.”
Jodar celebrates after reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open. AFP via Getty ImagesDespite being involved in another controversy on Sunday, Jodar notched another victory at Roland Garros as he erased a two-set deficit against Carreño Busta to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Jodar’s ranking has jumped to No. 22 in the world and he will now play No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals — a first for him at Roland Garros.
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