Alexander Zverev smashes his racquets into each other in changeover drama in Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner

Alexander Zverev found his emotions getting the better of him at the end of the second set in the Australian Open final in Melbourne. Having lost the second set on a tie-break after being at 4-4, Zverev could no longer contain his frustration as his third Grand Slam final started to get away from him, with defending champion Jannik Sinner in total control with a 6-3 7-6(4) lead.

Alexander Zverev was not playing badly in the showpiece final in Melbourne on Rod Laver Arena, and yet the German found himself two sets down to the world No. 1 Jannik Sinner with two hours on the clock.

He had not shown much emotion in the opening two sets, bar some brief frustration when he asked where some restrung racquets had got to, but that all changed at the changeover once the second set tie-break had concluded.

Zverev sat in his chair, before hitting his racquet into another one that was resting on a bag with a third racquet also involved in the drama. Clearly, that seemed a good move as he repeated the action a few more times for good measure.

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"Not a good moment to be a tennis racquet, or not one belonging to Alexander Zverev," noted Eurosport's Nick Mullins on commentary.

"Most definitely, when you reflect on that tie-break, 4-4, the inside-out forehand for Sinner clips the top of the net and just goes over, they say you make your own luck," added Tim Henman about the end of that breaker that just got away from Zverev.

"You could see the frustration with Zverev at the end of that second set.

"It’s a tough task now with Sinner up two sets to love and in the driving seat."

'I need it now!' - Zverev 'upset' at waiting for racquets in bizarre scene during final

Video credit: TNT Sports

This was not the first time Zverev has taken some emotion out on his racquets, the most famous occurrence being in the Mexican Open in 2022, when he hit the umpire’s chair and received a suspended ban from the ATP as a result, later calling it "the worst moment of my life".

There have already been plenty of emotions on show in this year’s Australian Open, the most memorable of which involved Daniil Medvedev, who caused plenty of damage to the in-net camera for starters, before picking up some hefty fines from the organisers.

Danielle Collins was another to show her emotions on court, although that took the form of some interesting post-match comments as she took umbrage with the crowd rather than her own play.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

As for Zverev, he still had plenty of racquets left with which to compete, as he set about trying to claw his way back into the Australian Open final.

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