American tennis player destroys five racquets in epic tantrum

Ryan Harrison has unleashed one of the most monumental meltdowns in tennis history, destroying all of his racquets after a loss.

The American was taking on Damir Dzumhur at Indian Wells and was in touching distance of victory when it all came undone.

Serving at 5-6 in the deciding third set, Harrison missed a pretty routine volley and decided to vent his anger by stomping on a spare racquet laying near his chair.

Image: Tennis TV

Harrison went on to lose the game, handing Dzumhur the win, before the rage really came out.

All of Harrison's demolished racquets. Image: Getty

The 24-year-old smashed his racquet into the court after sending a backhand into the net, walked up to shake hands with Dzumhur, before going to town on the remaining racquets in his bag.

Image: Getty

He violently smashed them all into the court before making his way to the locker room.

Harrison's outburst is the biggest we've seen since Marcos Baghdatis' infamous effort at the Australian Open in 2012 when he smashed four racquets in quick succession during a second round match:

Harrison, a former teenage prodigy who turned pro in 2007, has seen his form and ranking decline in recent years.

Contemplating how to pay for new racquets. Image: Getty

The crazy tantrum comes just three weeks after he broke through for his first ATP title at the Memphis Open.

with AAP