{
  "id": 14935342,
  "title": "John Isner issues his verdict on Rafael Jodar’s outburst at a ball kid in Shanghai, ‘people need to just chill out’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/john-isner-issues-his-verdict-on-rafael-jodars-outburst-at-a-ball-kid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/john-isner-issues-verdict-rafael-110000533.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former American tennis player John Isner has defended Rafael Jodar's behavior towards a ball kid in Shanghai, stating \"people need to just chill out.\" Jodar, 20 years old, was heard swearing at a ball kid during an ATP Masters 1000 tournament match against Botic van de Zandschulp. He received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct and later went on to win the match, securing his place in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters. Isner suggested that Jodar's frustration was due to the heat in Shanghai and that the young player would improve over time. He also emphasized the need to show respect towards ball kids, who work extremely hard during matches. Jodar, who has been criticized before for incidents involving ball kids, is now in the race to qualify for the ATP Finals.",
  "summary": "Rafael Jodar was once again on the receiving end of criticism from fans due to his behaviour on court after he was heard swearing at...",
  "key_points": [
    "John Isner defends Rafael Jodar’s behavior towards ball kid",
    "Jodar swore at ball kid during ATP Masters 1000 match",
    "Isner suggests Jodar’s frustration was due to heat"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Jodar beats Ruud to make Shanghai Masters history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/jodar-beats-ruud-to-make-shanghai-masters-history",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:06:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Jodar apologises for swearing at ball kid in Shanghai",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/jodar-apologises-for-swearing-at-ball-kid-in-shanghai",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:07:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Jodar apologises for swearing at ball kid in Shanghai",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/jodar-apologises-for-swearing-at-ball-kid-in-shanghai-14947330",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:51:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}