The clip showed Rafael Jodar walking courtside after tossing a water bottle to his father as a ball girl crossed his path during French Open third-round clash. Spanish tennis star Rafael Jódar has come under scrutiny on social media after a moment captured on camera during his third-round match against American Alex Michelsen at the French Open quickly went viral online.Rafael Jodar has denied allegations of contact with the ball girl. (REUTERS)The clip has sparked debate on social media, with allegations that Jódar shoved a ball girl during a courtside interaction. The footage shows the Spaniard walking along the sideline after tossing his water bottle to his father in the stands, just as a ball girl crossed in front of him.The camera captured the ball girl briefly stumbling before quickly recovering, fueling speculation online about whether an interaction had occurred.The 19-year-old, however, swiftly denied any allegations of contact, maintaining that the incident had been misconstrued and that no physical altercation took place.Jodar refutes claims after viral ball girl momentSpeaking after his victory, he firmly rejected the allegations, stating that he would never intentionally put a ball kid in such a situation.Jodar maintained that no contact occurred, saying, “I didn’t touch her.” He clarified that the gesture was not directed at the ball girl but rather at his father in the stands, as he was signaling for some items to be passed down after returning from a brief toilet break during the match.The Spaniard added that the timing of the moment created a misleading impression, making the incident appear more controversial than it actually was.“I really appreciate everything the ball kids do. I know it’s not easy, especially with the heat and everything. I would never, you know, push a ball kid,” he said, emphasizing his respect for the ball kids working throughout the tournament despite challenging conditions they have to endure during long matches.Jodar books clash with compatriotWhile the incident generated plenty of discussion away from the court, Jodar remained unfazed and produced one of the biggest wins of his career.The 19-year-old battled past Michelsen in an intense five-set contest marked by dramatic momentum shifts, eventually emerging victorious to secure his first-ever place in the fourth round of a Grand Slam.Also read: French Open odds update: Zverev biggest gainer after Djokovic's exit; Ruud's chances fadeThe triumph extends Jodar's impressive campaign at Roland Garros, where he will next face fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in an all-Spanish showdown with a quarterfinal berth on the line.As he continues his breakthrough run in Paris, Jodar will be hoping to keep the focus on his tennis rather than the controversy surrounding the viral clip.Ojas Jaiswal is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, currently working with the US Desk, where he covers a wide spectrum of American sports and global news developments. From high-intensity NFL moments on the field to the latest off-court NBA storylines, he specializes in delivering engaging, audience-driven stories that blend factual accuracy with compelling narratives.