Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has offered a forthright apology after smashing his racquet during his third-round victory over Karen Khachanov at the US Open.
It was an impressive comeback victory in just over three hours for the 21-year-old Australian.
However, he was quick to apologise for a heated moment at the end of the third set with Khachanov.
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The passionate Aussie destroyed a racquet after losing eight games in a row at one point and dropping the third set.
While it certainly wasn't what we expect from De Minaur, the release of frustration worked as he came back onto the court with renewed vigour to take the final two sets.
But the Sydney-sider is hoping that the incident will be a rare occurrence for the rest of what will be a long and distinguished career.
"First of all, I'd like to say, you know, kind of sorry to everyone out there watching," de Minaur said.
"It's not the way I want to conduct myself on the tennis court, and it's not something that is normal for me, so I'm very disappointed in myself with the attitude I had.
"I'm happy that I got through it, and I managed to kind of turn things around, but it's something that just can't happen and won't happen again."
"Let's just say I've got one less racquet. That's probably the way to put it."
De Minaur #USOpen (🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/xslZQVZvNf
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 5, 2020
De Minaur said he was looking forward to his fourth-round encounter with Vasek Pospisil, the unseeded Canadian who has already taken out Milos Raonic and Roberto Bautista Agut.
It's sure to be an exciting match up as the Aussie looks to make the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
"I'm very happy. I feel like I have played against some quality opponents," de Minaur said.
"I'm happy to get these wins. Definitely building some confidence, and hopefully, I can keep this momentum going and just keep playing some good tennis.
"Even though Vasek isn't a seed, he's definitely playing like a top seed. He's taken out both Milos and Bautista.
"He definitely deserves to be there. He's a very, very dangerous player. It's going to be a tough one.
"He's gonna look to dictate a lot and try to take the net. I've just got to make sure I keep my depth, try not to get pushed around and a little bit like today and try to stand my ground and hopefully dictate myself."
"[I'm] happy to be in the second week of a major again."
De Minaur also paid tribute to fellow Australian Jordan Thompson who is through to the fourth round of the US Open this year.
It's Thompson's first appearance at this stage of a Grand Slam and the first time two Australians have been in the fourth-round of the US Open in the Men's draw since 2001.
"It's amazing, I've known him for a very long time. He's like a big brother for me," de Minaur said of Thompson.
"He's playing some great tennis, and I'm really happy for him, that's for sure.
"He's always been over there in Sydney, and we had a lot to do together.
"It was just kind of amazing to see him kind of grow up and get to the point where he has gone and me trying to follow in his footsteps.
"We have had a lot of great memories in Davis Cup, as well, and that's definitely built our friendship, for sure."
Thompson will take on 27th-seed Borna Coric on Monday morning while the de Minaur-Pospisil match will take place on Tuesday morning.
You can catch all the US Open action live on Kayo Sports.
