PARIS — The tennis season is really picking up steam with the French Open in full swing, which means we can expect some thrilling, racket-busting drama to unfold.
In a sport rife with mental challenges, it’s not uncommon to witness elite players lose their composure on the court. Recently, players like Daniil Medvedev and Daniel Altmaier have given spectators a show with their sensational, racket-smashing outbursts on the clay courts of Europe.
But this isn’t a new phenomenon; fans who recall the fiery antics of John McEnroe from years past can certainly attest to that.
So, what goes through the minds of these athletes that leads them to such explosive meltdowns before a packed stadium?
“It’s not just about tennis,” noted former top-five player Andrey Rublev, who is famous for his on-court tantrums — he often ends up bloodying his hands and body when striking his racket strings and hitting his knees to release frustration.
“Everyone experiences similar moments in life when you simply lose it,” said Rublev, currently ranked 13th, whose coach Marat Safin famously broke 1,055 rackets during his own career.
“It’s not necessarily about tennis. It’s just that in tennis you’re alone and everyone’s watching. Some handle it better than others, while I often let my emotions take control,” Rublev candidly expressed.
Medvedev, another renowned player from Russia, can relate.
During a particularly poor showing at the start of the clay-court season, Medvedev smashed his racket into the red clay seven times amid a soul-crushing 6-0, 6-0 defeat against Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Completing his display of fury, he unceremoniously tossed his wrecked racket into a court-side trash can.
“When I broke my racket, it wasn’t something I actually wanted to do,” Medvedev confessed. “Usually, I crave that release. But given the circumstances — being 6-0, 6-0 down — it felt unavoidable. Normally, that kind of break can give you a boost, but not this time.”
Just last week, German player Altmaier let his frustration explode, slamming his racket into the court before kicking it into the stands during a tournament in Hamburg, narrowly avoiding injuring spectators.
The Legends Also Had Their Outbursts
Even the impeccable Roger Federer wasn’t immune; he was known for racket-smashing antics as a junior. However, he managed to refine his behavior, evolving into one of the sport’s most graceful — and triumphant — figures.
At the 2009 U.S. Open, Serena Williams was penalized for her animated confrontation with a line judge over a foot fault.
In 2020, Novak Djokovic found himself disqualified from the U.S. Open after he accidentally struck a line judge in the throat with a ball, abruptly ending his stunning 29-match winning streak.
Sabalenka: Emotions Can Be Detrimental
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is another player often seen battling her emotions, although she has made significant strides in managing them recently.
“My emotions had been detrimental to my game, causing my performance to plummet whenever I overreacted to situations,” Sabalenka revealed. “My rivals certainly recognized that and capitalized on it.”
She acknowledged that learning to regulate her emotions has been “a significant improvement throughout my career, allowing me to elevate my game.”
When Coco Gauff’s off-court racket-smashing episode during the Australian Open was caught on camera, it sparked a debate about player privacy.
Fifth-ranked Jessica Pegula prefers to express her frustration away from the public eye.
“I find a discreet spot, away from people, to vent by breaking a racket,” Pegula shared.
On the court, she maintains her composure well.
“I’m generally not an overly emotional person, so for me to reach that point is quite something. Still, I find it entertaining,” Pegula added. “Sometimes I wish I could express myself more openly, but that’s just not my style.”
Naomi Osaka, known for her calm demeanor on court, hasn’t always been that way.
“I had a pretty poor attitude in my younger years, which led to a serious conversation with my dad,” Osaka recounted.
Now, she manages her frustrations more quietly, “I do curse a lot on the court, but I keep it soft enough so nobody hears me — I’m relieved because I definitely don’t want any fines!”
Sorana Cirstea, who recently made history as the oldest player to debut in the top 20 at age 36, offered a simple insight into the emotions that frequently manifest on the court.
“Tennis is a profoundly mental sport. It’s about sustaining that mentality for long stretches, often under immense pressure and adrenaline. Sometimes, it pushes you to your limits,” Cirstea concluded. “After all, we’re only human.”
