Marcos Baghdatis Breaks Rackets in Outburst (VIDEO)
During a tennis match at this year's Australian open a meltdown in which several tennis rackets where destroyed has created an internet buzz.
Playing against Swiss opponent Stanislas Wawrinka in Melbourne Wednesday night, Marcos Baghdatis was down two sets and showed signs of rattled nerves in the third set when he lost his cool and took his frustration out on a few helpless rackets.
Sitting in his chair during a break, Baghdatis destroyed his racket by smashing it into the blue Margaret Court Arena surface several times, before handing it to the ball boy. He followed up his antics by providing the same treatment to three other rackets.
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The entertaining outburst did help if only for a moment. Baghdatis went on to win the third set but ultimately lost the match, 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 5-7 6-1.
On Thursday Baghdatis was hit with a $1,200 fine. The former Australian Open runner-up's official Website recalls his loss to Wawrinka, but does not mention the outburst during the match.
"I hope he gets a share of the YouTube clips," said former Australia Open champion Jim Courier, who was working as an analyst Australian television. "It was such a raw moment."
Baghdatis' actions have caught the eye of reputable tennis players who have experience with breaking rackets. Five-time Australian Open women's champion Serena Williams said, "I've never done that. That's impressive. Wow," Williams said.
She continued, "I actually used to break a lot of rackets on the court. I sometimes break them in practice, just not in a match anymore."
Novak Djokovic the top ranked player in the world had not seen the video before his match, but it did allow him to think about the great tennis racket smashers that have graced the court.
"I think (Goran) Ivanisevic and (Marat) Safin are right up there," Djokovic said. "Loved watching them."
