Shanghai Masters 2026: Jodar says he is ‘still learning’ after swearing at ballboy

Rafael Jodar has become the youngest semifinalist in the history of the Shanghai Masters. | Photo Credit: AP

Spanish tennis star Rafael Jodar said that he is “learning how to behave on court” after his 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 quarterfinal win against Casper Ruud at the Shanghai Masters 2026 on Friday.

Jodar — who is the youngest semifinalist in the history of the tournament — was reprimanded for swearing at a ballboy in his fourth round match against Botic van de Zandschulp.

After losing the first set, he was heard shouting, “Give me the fucking towel!”

“I was just frustrated with myself and I couldn’t control my emotions at that point of the match,” he told reporters after his quarterfinal.

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“After the match I thought about it and I shouldn’t have done that to the ballkid. It was my mistake,” he said.

“As I’m learning how to do the forehand, how to do the backhand, how to serve, I’m also learning how to behave on court, and there’s still a lot of things,” said the world number 13.

“I’m not perfect.”

He will now face either Daniil Medvedev or Tommy Paul in the semifinal.