Thank god the Washington Open was being broadcast.
Frenchman Benoit Paire has had a mental breakdown for the ages in the first round of the Citi Open against former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, breaking multiple racquets before quitting in a petulant display.
With the Frenchman down 3-6 6-3 2-4, and finding himself serving at 0-40, Paire ended up smashing the ball into the net, falling on the ground and losing his service game in the space of about two seconds.
What he did next was incredible.
Watch Paire's mental breakdown in the video below.
French tennis player Benoit Paire completely melted down at the Washington Open. pic.twitter.com/rd2wNPdbVJ
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 1, 2018
While on the ground, Paire smashes the first of his poor racquets to oblivion. You can see the ball boy go to give him his towel before retreating, afraid to approach the enraged Frenchman.
When the player finally gets up and the ball boy nervously approaches him, Paire then hurls the racquet onto the ground. But, he wasn't done.
Heading towards his seat, Paire stomps on his bag before throwing yet another racquet on the ground.
Baghdatis attempts to reassure Paire. It doesn't work.
MORE: Andy Murray 'starting from scratch' in Washington
He then proceeds to throw two more racquets on the court which the ball boy has to pick up. But wait, there's more.
With Baghdatis then serving me for the match, he wins the first three points to bring up a hat-trick of match points.
Paire didn't even bother to hit the next serve back, conceding defeat as he rushed to the net to shake hands.
What a performance.
It's not the first time Paire took out his frustration on his playing equipment.
Paire pt.2 (🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/7vLhvrazab
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) March 22, 2017
Paire pt.3 (Point penalty) (🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/TpynUf046L
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) March 22, 2017
I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.
It's ironic that Baghdatis was the one trying to calm down Paire, as the Cypriot has a history of racquet murder himself.
See the below video for his effort in the 2012 Australian Open.
Baghdatis will face Chung Hyeon in the next round of the City Open, hopefully were a less violent approach to the game will take place.
