Rising star Jodar says he is still learning after ballboy outburst

Rising Spanish tennis star Rafael Jodarsaid he was still "learning how to behave on court" after swearing at aballboy at the Shanghai Masters, where he reached the semi-finals on Fridayto make history.

The 20-year-old recovered from a set down to beat Norway's Casper Ruud 4-6,6-4, 6-3 and become the youngest player to make the last four in thetournament's history.

It was Jodar's first match since being warned for unsportsmanlike conductafter shouting an expletive at a ballboy in the fourth round.

"I was just frustrated with myself and I couldn't control my emotions at thatpoint of the match," he told reporters.

On Wednesday, Jodar was trailing Botic van de Zandschulp after losing thefirst set on a tie-break when he shouted in Spanish: "Give me the fuckingtowel!"

Jodar said Friday he knew it was wrong.

"After the match I thought about it and I shouldn't have done that to theballkid. It was my mistake," he said after his gutsy quarter-final win.

He added that he wished to apologise to the ballboy.

"As I'm learning how to do the forehand, how to do the backhand, how toserve, I'm also learning how to behave on court, and there's still a lot ofthings," said the world number 13.

"I'm not perfect."

Jodar is having a breakout year, after starting the season ranked 168th.

Ruud, ranked 24th, saved three match points before double-faulting to handJodar victory.

Jodar will play either 2019 Shanghai champion Daniil Medvedev or AmericanTommy Paul in the semi-finals.