Tennis Player Rafael Jodar Warned for Swearing at Ball Boy in Shanghai

Tennis player Rafael Jodar received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct after using offensive language towards a ball boy during a match in Shanghai.

Footage of the exchange, which occurred on Wednesday, showed Jodar, 20, angrily demanding a towel. After losing two break points, he was heard saying, "Give me the f***ing towel, damn it!"

Chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote issued Jodar a warning, to which the player responded with surprise. "You give me a warning, man?" Jodar asked. Pinoargote explained, "I understand, but not like that. Ask me and I'll ask him." Jodar then denied having said anything inappropriate, stating, "But I didn't say anything bad to him."

Pinoargote countered, "I can't repeat it, you know what you said, I can't repeat it now. Not like that, we don't talk to them like that."

Jodar, who went on to defeat Botic Van De Zandschulp in three sets to reach the quarter-finals, has faced scrutiny for his conduct on court. In May, he was accused of shoving a ball girl at the French Open. Video of that incident showed Jodar gesturing towards his father in the stands as a ball girl walked across his path. The girl momentarily lost her footing. Jodar denied any physical contact, explaining that he was gesturing to his father and believed the ball girl had tripped over a court cover.

Despite Jodar's denial in May, the ball boy incident in Shanghai adds to a growing perception of poor behavior on tour. He was cautioned by the umpire for his language, a moment captured and shared widely online.