American tennis player Stefan Kozlov issued an apology after reacting strongly when a ball kid accidentally hit him in the eye during a first-round loss at the 2026 Morelia Challenger. The incident, captured on video, drew widespread criticism online. Kozlov took responsibility, citing frustration from the match.
Stefan Kozlov suffered a straight-sets defeat, 6-2, 6-2, to Andres Martin in the opening round of the 2026 Morelia Challenger on March 24. During the match, a ball kid tossed a ball that struck the 28-year-old American in the eye. Kozlov collapsed to the court, clutching his face in apparent pain, prompting the chair umpire to intervene. The ball kid apologized on court, but Kozlov initially expressed anger in a discussion with the official before calming down and continuing play, according to footage of the moment that quickly spread online. The video elicited backlash from viewers, many describing Kozlov's response as an overreaction, especially given his ongoing struggles in the match. Kozlov, currently ranked No. 265—down from a career-high of No. 103 in 2022—posted an apology on X the following day. “After some reflection, I want to apologize for my reaction after being hit in the eye yesterday. It was an accident, and I shouldn’t have responded the way I did. I let the emotions of a difficult time on court get the best of me in that moment. I take responsibility, and I’m sorry to the ball kid and everyone involved,” he wrote on March 25. The apology highlighted how mounting frustration from the lopsided score had influenced his conduct. Such on-court mishaps have tested players before. At the 2020 Australian Open, Rafael Nadal struck a ball girl accidentally but immediately comforted her, later calling her a 'super brave girl' and gifting her his headband. In contrast, Novak Djokovic's 2020 US Open default for unintentionally hitting a lineswoman remains a contentious episode in tennis history. Kozlov's prompt accountability underscores the expectations for sportsmanship at all tournament levels.