Rising Spanish tennis star handed code violation for swearing at ballboy

Rafael Jodar, of Spain, celebrates after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp, of the Netherlands, in the fourth round of the men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

SHANGHAI, China -- Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar was warned for unsportsmanlike conduct after shouting an expletive at a ballboy in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday.

Jodar, 20, was trailing Botic van de Zandschulp after losing the first set on a tie-break when he shouted in Spanish: “Give me the f**king towel!”

He had fired a shot just long to lose a break point in the first game of the second set.

Jodar was swiftly issued a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct, a violation of the ATP rulebook, by Ecuadoran chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote.

The two had a brief exchange in Spanish as Jodar complained to Pinoargote that his request for a towel was being ignored.

Pinoargote responded that he understood but could not excuse Jodar’s language.

“Ask me, and I’ll ask him,” Pinoargote said.

“Not like that -- that’s not how we speak to them.”

When Jodar asked Pinoargote, “What did I say?” and the umpire responded: “I can’t repeat it. You know what you said.”

Jodar went on to beat van de Zandschulp 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2.

The world number 13 is having a breakout season after starting at 168th.

He will face Casper Ruud in the Shanghai quarter-finals after the Norwegian advanced when Felix Auger-Aliassime retired injured from their fourth-round match.

Ball boys and girls are stationed around the court to fetch loose balls and toss them to players during service games. They also hand players towels between points.