VIDEO: Mirra Andreeva Hits Herself With Racket As Taylor Townsend Takes Edge at US Open

In sports, there are moments when athletes let frustration get the better of them. Whether it’s a questionable call from an official or the sting of defeat, players usually find ways to vent — slamming their equipment, shouting into the air, or exchanging words with an opponent. But Mirra Andreeva decided to do something far more troubling than hardly anyone would imagine doing.

On Friday, during her US Open third-round clash against Taylor Townsend, the 18-year-old Russian endured a 5-7, 2-6 defeat. In order to vent her frustration, Andreeva decided to strike her racket on her own leg, not once, but thrice, actually. The shocking display came as Townsend tightened her grip on the match, capitalizing on the teenager’s errors to advance to the fourth round.

The scenes were difficult to watch not only for the fans but even for seasoned tennis observers. Even renowned journalist Jose Morgado commented, “Andreeva’s body language… tough to watch her do that to herself.” Honestly, quite a bold and raw side of the talented Russian teenager who pretty evidently got caught up in the moment.

It’s no surprise that emotions spilled over, considering the nature of the game. After trading early breaks, Andreeva managed to stand her own ground through most of the first set. However, Taylor Townsend repeatedly disrupted her rhythm by finishing points at the net. At 5-5, a costly service lapse and a rare tactical miscue saw the 26-year-old American grab the opening set 7-5.

The second set followed a similar script. Though Mirra Andreeva fought back from an early 0-40 hole to hold serve, she couldn’t keep pace as Townsend kept charging forward and converting nearly every opportunity. Already down 2-4, the teenager double-faulted on a break point, giving the American full control. Experience called itself for Townsend as she closed it out 6-2 in front of a roaring home crowd.

If you think this match must have been a unique rollercoaster ride of emotions for Townsend, well, know that the current WTA world No. 1 in doubles has seen much more than that. In her previous second-round 7-5, 6-1 win against Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor ended up having a post-game heated exchange with the Latvian. A routine handshake turned tense when Ostapenko appeared to wag her finger at the net, drawing boos from the crowd.

Townsend, unfazed, was caught on mic saying, “No, I don’t have to…” before heading off to greet the chair umpire. But the tension didn’t end there. Afterward, Townsend claimed her European rival called her “classless” and “uneducated,” while Ostapenko criticized the American for not apologizing after a net-cord winner during the match.

Regardless, Townsend moves ahead towards the round of 16, where she’ll be facing Barbora Krejcikova. As for Mirra Andreeva, her journey comes to end after a remarkable display over Anastasia Potapova and Alycia Parks in the second and opening round, respectively. Then again, her story might just not end due to her fiery on-court demeanor!

Mirra Andreeva should be lucky if she gets away with her antics

Do you recall last weekend’s opening round of the US Open men’s singles between Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi? Well, aside from Medvedev’s grueling defeat to the Frenchman, the match was packed with drama. First, the Russian furiously barked at chair umpire Gregory Allensworth after an unusual interruption from a photographer late in the third set, which led the official to grant Bonzi a first serve and caused a six-minute delay.

However, it was after the match that things really escalated on Medvedev’s side, as he had a meltdown — slamming his racket repeatedly against the court and bench until it was smashed beyond repair. The outburst earned him a $12,500 fine on top of the $30,000 penalty he had already received for unsportsmanlike conduct during his loss to Benjamin Bonzi.

In Mirra Andreeva’s case, although she didn’t completely destroy her racket, her actions might still be considered unacceptable in the eyes of tournament officials. It remains to be seen whether she will also face a fine — or even if this behavior is deemed punishable at all.

Indeed, players need to find healthier outlets for their emotions; after all, no point or match is worth risking harm to oneself. Either way, share your views in the comments below, and follow EssentiallySports’ live blog of the US Open for minute-by-minute updates.