Let Tennis Players Smash Their Rackets

There's a longstanding perception that tennis is snobbish and genteel, a country club activity that allows cheering only at appropriate moments. After all, it was a pastime for Victorian gentlemen and ladies who wore white because the color best masked sweat, an impolite fluid. But tennis is not a prissy sport to play or watch. It's individuals locked in a solitary battle, enduring an often hidden psychological drama. Nothing makes that drama more visible than a smashed racket. As a casual, mediocre tennis player, even I get angry with double faulting. I'll loosen my grip, straighten my toss and really pronate my wrist. When the ball still hits the net, I want to break my stupid, incompetent racket into pieces. Unfortunately, I physically cannot because I'm a weakling. The pros make it look so easy. Technically, racket smashing is not allowed in professional tennis. Per the Association of Tennis Professionals' racket abuse rule, 'players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a racquet or other equipment within the precincts of the tournament site.' Though the rule is not always enforced, it can result in a code violation (which accumulates into point and game penalties) and a fine. Despite the rule, rackets are thrown and destroyed at many professional tennis tournaments. This year, 81 racket abuse violations were issued on just the men's side before the U.S. Open began. My favorite current players are Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Alexander Bublik. Their games are frustratingly inconsistent, but they are the three foremost racket smashers on tour. Medvedev is persistent, banging his rackets over and over, maybe eight, nine or 10 times, until they no longer resemble rackets. Rublev often uses his body, hitting his rackets against his knees, feet and head, sometimes drawing blood. One time, Bublik demolished three in a row, hammering one into the ground until it shattered, then moving on to the next. Their matches are pure pathos, like watching telenovelas. Marat Safin is the indisputable GOAT of racket smashing. The charismatic Russian, who retired in 2009 at just 29, said he broke 1,055 rackets over his 13-year career. He's impressive not just for his volume, but also for his range: He's smashed a racket against a chair, breaking both the racket and the chair; bounced them like basketballs; flung them at the net; and even obliterated one in front of Boris Yeltsin. It's an impressive physical feat. You try breaking a racket with one hand, in one throw. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.