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John Isner issues his verdict on Rafael Jodar’s outburst at a ball kid in Shanghai, ‘people need to just chill out’

Rafael Jodar faced backlash after a heated exchange with a ball kid during his fourth-round match at the Shanghai Masters, where he was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct following a frustrated outburst in Spanish. The incident occurred mid-match against Botic van de Zandschulp, with Jodar later winning in straight sets before advancing to the semifinals by defeating Casper Ruud in three sets.

Despite his strong tournament run—placing him eighth in the ATP Finals race—Jodar’s behavior has drawn criticism, including a past controversy at the French Open where video suggested he pushed a ball kid aside during a court exit, though the angle was disputed.

Former American player John Isner offered a measured response to the criticism, acknowledging Jodar’s frustration while urging him to improve his conduct. Isner emphasized the intense pressure of professional tennis and called for a more balanced reaction from fans online.

Meanwhile, Steve Johnson praised Jodar’s overall play, noting his rapid rise from Challenger events to ATP qualifying and his strong performance in Shanghai, despite earlier setbacks at the US Open and Japan Open.

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