Alexander Zverev has routinely been anointed as the flag-bearer for the next generation, but the German fourth seed once again failed to live up to his reputation and has now missed out on making the last eight of a major for the 14th time in 15 attempts.
As the second week of the opening Grand Slam of the year got underway, the highly-rated German lost the plot against the former world number three Milos Raonic, crashing to a 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) loss.
So furious was he with his form, the 21-year-old had a major temper tantrum in the second set, whacking his racquet into the ground eight times to leave it a crumpled mess.
It was just the kind of moment to set tongues wagging on Twitter:
Frustration level 💯#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/7ThmuvoRzo
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2019
Zverev is mad.
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 21, 2019
How mad?
Nine-time racket smash mad.
He's down two sets to none against @MilosRaonic.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3sMrk5Lkw4
Zverev vs Baghdatis (📽 ESPN) pic.twitter.com/JcM4elUwnf
— Ilya Ryvlin (@ryvlin) January 21, 2019
Zverev reminds me of someone here but I can't quite put my finger on it. pic.twitter.com/lLiEDHPVlv
— Pseudo McEnroe (@McEnroeTweets) January 21, 2019
“I may seem like an angry person on the surface, but deep inside, I’m actually angrier.” - Alexander Zverev
— Incorrect Tennis Quotes (@IncorrectTennis) January 21, 2019
The press room counting out Sascha Zverev’s racket whacks on each replay:
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 21, 2019
“One!
Two!!
Three!!!
Four!!!!
Five!!!!
Six!!!!!!
Seven!!!!!!!
Eight!!!!!!!!
Nine!!!!!!!!!”
Then, applause. #AusOpen
Yeah, I think it’s had it, Sascha... 😂😂😂 #AusOpen #Zverev #Raonic pic.twitter.com/garYTzxMQ8
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) January 21, 2019
Zverev just produced one of the great racquet smashes his generation will ever see. Absolutely destroyed the thing 9 times. Spectacular.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 21, 2019
There were other incidents too:
Zverev(🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/sWDBdvDnlS
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) January 21, 2019
Some though preferred to focus on the tennis:
Really impressed by Milos Raonic. Beaten Nick Kyrgios, Stan Wawrinka and now Alexander Zverev to reach the quarter-finals. Looks close to his end of 2016 form when he was comfortably the third best player in the world. Zverev continues to really disappoint at majors...
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) January 21, 2019
Milos Raonic continues to run through his tough draw and is onto the #AustralianOpen Quarters.
— Caroline Cameron (@SNCaroline) January 21, 2019
Zverev ✔️
Herbert ✔️
Kyrgios ✔️
Wawrinka ✔️
On a positive note, Alexander #Zverev has done better than last year (3R) at the AO by reaching the 4R. Considering that his career can last around 15 years from now, it means around 60 Slams to play... Sascha has still time to Shine in Slams. Let's wish him the best ahead! 🙏🤩
— Sascha Zverev France 🎾 (@saschazverevfr) January 21, 2019