Just over a year ago, Serbian legend and world number two Novak Djokovic was having a nightmarish time with his new racquet.Having just changed from Wilson to Head, he was struggling to get used to the new equipment and blamed it for a run of poor form.
He got the hang of it soon enough though, and though he was Grand Slam-free in 2009 he enjoyed an otherwise superb season to establish himself even more firmly - not that he needed to - as one of the very best in the business.
It seems, however, that the pesky racquet has started to play up once again, because he thrashed it to within an inch of its life and beyond as he muddled past Mikhail Youzhny to secure victory at the Dubai Championships.
Incredibly, though, his hot-headed tactic worked: the remainder of the racquets in the Djoker's bag, clearly fearing for their lives, began to behave much better as the Serb finished up a comfortable final set victory.
Sport is littered with examples of ridiculous, illogical tactics that shouldn't work - yet do.
Football club presidents look ridiculous when they fire their managers on the back of a brief run of bad results; yet the shot up the backside for the players invariably turns things round.
And how often do you see a golfer shouting at his ball in mid-air to get over the lake, then smile in gratitude as the under-hit shot does exactly what it's told.
Smashing a racquet is in exactly the same category, and not for a second should anybody grumble about it.
It adds to the spectacle, gives the crowd some pantomime-villain action to enjoy booing at, and increases the level of play from the player.
In fact, we'd rather see the ATP and WTA fine players for NOT losing their tempers when they clearly ought to have done.
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