Andy Murray suffered a serious meltdown at the China Open on Thursday and his racket-crushing antics are nothing new.
Murray lost to Alex De Minaur in the first round in Beijing, failing to capitalize on three match points.
The 24-year-old Australian defeated his former world number one 6-3 5-7 7-6 (6) in their fifth career meeting, with De Minaur winning all five games , including a first-round match at Queen’s University earlier this year.
Murray wasn’t the only one to lose his temper on the pitch and it was five of the worst meltdowns ever.
1. Serena Williams – 2018 U.S. Open
Serena Williams apologizes to Naomi Osaka and consults therapist after collapse at 2018 US Open final.
Osaka’s first Grand Slam victory was overshadowed by Williams’ furious attack on referee Carlos Ramos, calling him a “liar” and a “thief” after the referee gave her a game penalty.
The American said Osaka had accepted her apology but still insisted she was a victim of sexism at Flushing Stadium. “Ultimately, my opponent played better than me that day and ended the match,” the 37-year-old wrote in Harper’s Bazaar on winning her first Grand Slam title. I couldn’t be happier for her.
My family truly changed, not because we were welcomed, but because we wouldn’t stop winning. “
2. Nick Kyrgios – Most years!
The maverick Australian was as famous for his temper as he was for his match-winning exploits, which came under attack from officiating officials, touchline staff and spectators during his explosive career.
Smashing the racket was the wild man’s specialty and he admitted he struggled to control his anger on the court. Kyrgios was fined for taunting Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka during a match when he suggested his friend Thanasi Kokkinakis was sleeping with his girlfriend, fellow tennis player Donna Veecki.
He also caused controversy at the 2019 Laver Cup, saying: “I lost my focus and I saw this really hot chick in the crowd. Like, I’m gonna be really honest – I’d marry him right now She. Now.”
Kyrgios is one of the best players in tennis, but throughout his controversial career he has rarely seemed to stop him from upsetting the tennis establishment.
3. Daniil Medvedev
The Russian star’s behavior on court is often unconventional, and he pushed the rules to their limits at the 2020 ATP Cup.
Medvedev was found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct during a fiery encounter with Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the second set of the quarter-finals and presented his case to Swedish referee Mohamed Rayani. View.
When he didn’t like what the umpire said, he started slamming his racquet on a chair and was nearly ruled out.
4. Alexander Zverev
German star Zverev has described being disqualified from the Mexican Open last year as the “worst moment” of his life.
The world number three was withdrawn from the Acapulco tournament two weeks ago after he insulted the referee and repeatedly hit the chair with his racket.
He was fined $40,000 (approximately £30,500) and lost ranking points while the ATP reviewed the incident.
Former world number one Mats Wilander called for Zverev to be suspended and sent to rehab, but the ATP chose to ban him for just eight weeks, with him also fined an additional $25,000 (approximately £19,000). This is also suspended.
Zverev was later given a suspended sentence by the ATP.
5. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic collapsed during his bronze medal match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta on Saturday at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, throwing a racket into the empty stands before
Hit the other racket toward the net.
“It’s an outburst of emotion and it happens. It’s probably not the first time and it’s not the last time,” the Grand Slam legend said.
“Of course it’s not good, but I guess, it’s part of who I am. I don’t like doing these things. I’m sorry to send that message, but we’re all human and it’s hard to control our emotions sometimes.”