Sports
Rafael Jodar Speaks Out After Clip Goes Viral of Him ‘Shoving’ Ball Girl
Spanish tennis player Rafael Jodar has had to come out and deny accusations that he pushed a ball girl out of the way after his third-round win at the French Open.
During his victory over American Alex Michelsen, Jodar was seen throwing a bottle of water to his father, who was sitting in his box at Roland Garros. As he did this, a ball girl suddenly appeared, walking across his path as he made his way to the changing rooms for a bathroom break.
The camera angle shows the girl losing her footing before regaining her balance and standing by an advertisement board. Jodar was frantically gesturing towards his dad, who is his coach, as the young girl walked by, and it is unclear whether the Spanish 27th seed made contact with her.
Rafael Jodar Addresses Ball Girl Incident
When asked about the situation, the 19-year-old said: “I didn’t touch her. No, no, no. I could never do that.
“I didn’t push her or anything. I was telling my dad to give me the things that he was going to give me after a toilet break when I was coming back,” Jodar went on to explain.
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Speaking to the press after his third-round win, he said: “She was in the middle, so I think she was trying to get out of the way. She was going backwards, but I think she, like, fell, but not because I push(ed) her.”
He suggested that the ball girl got her feet caught in the court cover, which meant she lost her balance: “It was right behind her. So when she was walking backwards, she fell with that. I appreciate all the work that the ball kids are doing. I know it’s difficult with the heat and the conditions to stay there, so I appreciate. I could never, you know, push a ball kid.”
Tennis Fans React Online to Clip
The young Spaniard has received a lot of criticism online because of the initial video. One person shared the footage on X, with the caption: “But Rafael Jodar, he’s a total creep. How he pushes the ball girl – and it’s not the first time I’ve heard that he’s awful off the court.”
This wasn’t the only comment aimed at him, as another said: “Pathetic attitude from Rafa Jodar… I mean, he’s talented, but this attitude doesn’t belong on the tennis court.”
It wasn’t all negative, however, as some jumped to his defence. One user said: “Watch it in slow motion, the ball girl was crossing in front of him and trying to get out of his way, but she tripped backwards as she tried to get back in place.”
The camera angle does look like the tennis star has pushed the young girl, but a closer inspection clearly shows that Jodar wasn’t involved in the girl’s trip.
He will be hoping this doesn’t affect his preparation as he gears up for a fourth-round match-up against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno on Sunday.
Sports
My Football Idol was Man United Cult Hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT who his footballing idol was, and it’s a face familiar to fans at Old Trafford.
Sesko has just completed the first season of his career at the Red Devils following a £74m move from RB Leipzig last summer, where he finished the season as the club’s joint top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, including strikes against Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Everton.
The 22-year-old has excited fans at the club with his high intensity and highly athletic style, and is tipped by many to become the long-term solution to the number nine position in years to come.
While speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Slovenia international was asked about his greatest influences and footballing idols growing up, and he revealed that his main influence is a man who lit up Old Trafford during his career.
“My idol is Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he said. “Great player, of course. He was amazing. I looked at him a lot, but not just him.
“Just in general football, skills, goals, it was just something that I used to try to go out and copy. It could be in the summer when it’s really hot, I just wanted to get better.”
Ibrahimovic joined Man Utd on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer of 2016, and scored a brilliant 28 goals in 46 appearances in his debut season, helping the club win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
But he suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of that campaign, and while he returned to feature seven times the next campaign, the Sweden legend then departed mid-season to move to the MLS with LA Galaxy.
Sesko Reveals ‘Love’ for Cunha, Fernandes, and Mbeumo
During his exclusive interview with GMS, Sesko was also asked about his relationship with his current teammates, having joined alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer.
All three players notched double digits for goals in their first season at the club, and Sesko believes the relationship they have off the pitch has contributed to their success on it.
“I think everyone has different kinds of skills that they can bring on the pitch, which is really important,” he said.
“We don’t have everyone with similarities, and it’s important in the club that they have all these skills. I think we’re all really skilled, and the quality that we brought this season, I think we can be more than happy.
“Not just that, I think we also work great as friends. It’s important to have good relationships that can bring success in the end.”
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Sports
Rangers Want to Sign ‘Incredible’ Casper Widell Alongside Luke Graham
Rangers have already made a strong start to their summer transfer window with the arrival of Lawrence Shankland, but they are already looking at the next deals they want to complete.
The Ibrox club have completed a move to sign Shankland on a free transfer from Hearts, with the striker penning a three-year deal at the Glasgow club and taking the number seven shirt ahead of his participation at the World Cup.
Now Danny Rohl is looking to add more options to his defence during the upcoming window, with a number of central defenders leaving and needing to be replaced.
Rangers Eyeing Casper Widell Deal
According to a report by Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack, Rangers are eyeing up a move to sign Excelsior defender Casper Widell this summer.
Widell, who stands at 6ft 3 and has been described as ‘incredible’, enjoyed a strong season in the Eredivisie making 34 apperances as the team finished 13th in the Dutch top-flight.
The 23-year-old’s performances have attracted the attention of English Championship sides Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, but Rangers are also understood to be showing an interest in his services as they look to bolster their defensive options.
Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga have both returned to their respective parent clubs following their loan spells this season, leaving Rohl with just Emmanuel Fernandez and John Souttar as senior centre-back options
But even Fernandez has been heavily linked with an exit away amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, and that means that new defenders are a priority for Rohl.
Rangers Have a Huge Summer Ahead
After throwing away their chance at the Scottish Premiership title this season, Danny Rohl knows that this summer is of the utmost importance for him and Rangers.
The club have already addressed the issue of a lack of goals in their squad by adding long-term target Shankland, but defence is a big problem for them now after so many absences.
Widell may be a bit of an unknown, but he has experience playing at a high level, is only 23 meaning there is plenty of room for improvement, and physically looks more than capable of being able to cope. For the right fee, it could be a shrewd bit of business, and would help to fill a glaring hole in their squad.
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Rangers need reinforcements this summer.
Sports
Liverpool In Talks to Sell Curtis Jones to Inter Milan
Liverpool are in talks to let another first-team star leave Anfield this summer after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be on the move, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Reds confirmed during the season that both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson would leave in the summer transfer window, and it was revealed earlier this week that France international Konate would follow them after failing to agree a new contract.
Manager Arne Slot was also sacked on Saturday in a surprise move, with GMS sources understanding that Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner to replace him. But there could yet be even more exits to come on Merseyside.
Liverpool In Talks to Sell Curtis Jones
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool remain in talks with Inter Milan over a deal that could see Curtis Jones leave permanently.
The midfielder, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has emerged as a top target for the Serie A champions, after showing an initial interest in January, although a deal never materialised.
Inter were hoping to pay around €20m (£17.3m) for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, and it’s understood that Jones would be willing to make the switch to the San Siro.
An agreement is not believed to be close, with Liverpool valuing him higher, but an exit has not been ruled out as the club look to raise funds ahead of a big summer window, following their record-breaking spend last year.
Jones Exit Would Be Final Nail
There’s some big exits planned at Anfield, but losing another academy talent for a minimal fee a year after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold for nothing would be a nightmare decision.
Jones has showed his quality over recent years, and there’s no doubting that he absolutely loves Liverpool having come through their academy as a child and supported them all his life.
That type of connection is what has been missing at Anfield for a long time, and letting him leave would just further desecrate the feeling around the club. He deserves to be given a chance and a new contract, not sold to the highest bidder.
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