American tennis player Tristan Boyer caused a major scandal at the Challenger event in Francavilla, Italy, after losing his temper and destroying his racket. The 25-year-old, currently ranked 257th in the ATP standings, faced 19-year-old Italian Daniele Rapagnetta (ranked 938th) in the final round of qualifying.
During the second set, with the score at 4-6, 5-5, Boyer lost a crucial point on his own serve. Frustrated, he smashed his racket against the court and threw it while shouting. The chair umpire immediately penalized him a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, making the set 5-7 and ending the match. Enraged by the decision, Boyer began arguing with the official using profanity, struck the umpire’s chair with his racket, then continued hitting the court and surrounding fence before storming off the court while hurling insults at the umpire.
(Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)
