As the decade closes, let's reflect on five of the most effective racquet demolitions of 2019.

4

Alexander Zverev — Australian Open round of 16

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Racquet smashes, for the most part, are not calculated decisions. But Zverev’s merciless destruction of his poor Head Gravity down 6-1, 4-1 to an on-fire Milos Raonic was.

Watch how politely Zverev accepts the towel from the ball boy, calmly wipes his face, sits down, and then, BOOM.

Top 5 racquet 
smashes of 2019: No.
4, Alexander Zverev

Top 5 racquet smashes of 2019: No. 4, Alexander Zverev

It was the first of what felt like a few dozen broken racquets during the young German’s 2019 season. But what makes this one truly special is Zverev's mid-smash twirl. He decimated one side, but wasn't done yet because it was an equal opportunity job.