Tennis player poleaxes himself trying to make shot

Tennis player Nick Monroe completely disregarded self-preservation in his third round doubles match at the US Open.

The American absolutely poleaxed himself after trying to return a cross-court smash that bounced inside the court and rocketed towards the grandstand.

Refusing to concede the point, Monroe chased the ball down and hit a desperate lunging return, before crashing into the barrier surrounding the court.

Several spectators jumped off their seats to see if Monroe was all right, while he remained prone on the floor next to grandstand seats.

After a lengthy delay to receive medical treatment, Monroe eventually re-joined his partner Donald Young, but the pair ended up going down to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.