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Muller and Davydenko both threw their rackets this week. In the same match, on the same point.
When Davydenko's final shot hit the net and plopped back onto his side, he spiked his into the ground. Muller, penalized in a previous match for abuse, joyfully flung his into the stands.
"Now go home, no rackets," Davydenko said.
There is no limit on how many rackets a player can take onto the court. Andre Agassi once brought 24 for a match at the French Open, racket expert Roman Prokes recalled
Djokovic drew whistles and boos after he threw his racket this week. He slammed one last year during a loss to Federer in the final, and a small piece broke off -- it was quarter-sized string dampener, designed to reduce vibration, and was decorated with a yellow smiley face.
Djokovic seems to have a firm grasp on the art of throwing rackets. Tossed down their handles or edges, they usually stay intact; pounded at an angle or given a full, frontal smash, they often snap.
Glen Flint understands rackets, whether they cost $50 or $200, be they made of graphite, carbon, titanium or Kevlar. He's a racket stringer at the U.S. Open, working in a room near the entrance to center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
He also travels the tour with Roddick. Yet Flint insists he never winces when tennis' A-Rod goes wild.
"If crushing that racket clears your mind," Flint said, "go for it."
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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