Racquet Toss Tournament 2011
 

Since we have closed and locked our past years event, time to open a 2011 thread:

Previous winners:

2009: Fernando Gonzalez
2010: Stanislas Wawrinka

First submission for 2011 - Kim, last night at Sydney. Has she been hanging in Vegas with Criss Angel?

http://images.smh.com.au/2011/01/13/...TERS-420x0.jpg

Awww.... I hoped there was one already. http://forum.talkabouttennis.com/ima...ies/tongue.png

EDIT: spoke during a post, I see.

I'd suggest a link to a video or picture of the previous winners (for posterity, naturally).

2009 Champion Fernando Gonzalez

Here is an example of the form he showed in 2009 that made him the Champion.

http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/file.../l115618-1.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2867/99774468.png

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...2E6PN/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...QGf5Q/340x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...j00xr/610x.jpg

Such form, such grace and power. He belongs in the Hall of Fame of racquet busting.

At least we should name the year end trophy in his honor http://www.talkabouttennis.com/forum...ies/cheesy.gif

I agree re the trophy name.

I haven't been able to find the Wawrinka meltdown that won him the 2010 crown.

How about Vera Zvonareva's racquet tantrum? She was getting routed by Stosur in Charleston and she finally got the frustration out by swinging her racquet, smash it and to end it all, she kicked the racquet under the couch if I recall. Aedra should be able to verify this as she was covering for TAT.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...NY4MJ/610x.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g_aSy_FGX7...+Zvonareva.jpg

Bepa showing her form from 2009.

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p.../108053075.jpg

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p.../108053076.jpg
Viktor Troicki is another early entrant. He reportedly kicked the net for good measure but I couldn't find a visual. Does that go towards style points? I think it does show complete and utter disgust which is part of the criteria for making the cut. I also love the fingers. Great style.

Here are the rules for the Racquet Toss Tournament. There will be a winner from the ATP and the WTA for 2011. The winner of the 2011 Fernando Gonzalez Trophy must excel in the following categories:

1. expression of utter disgust and frustration with self and/or world includes points for insulting himself or others; self inflicting damage

2. originality

3. visual esthetics

4. degree of destruction + bonus points if something else is hit or broken

5. timing

6. track record (inversely proportional ie. Fed gets many points, whilst Safin gets few points)

7. Flight Distance

8. Combo Breaker" ie. Gonzo's repeated hitting and Serena's ground smack + throw.

9. crowd reaction

LOVE IT.

Drop you played a large role in drafting the original rules. Should the women have their own trophy?

Yes, I believe they should. Not sure who to name if after though...

I think it should be named after whoever wins it this year to make it fair.

Sounds like a plan. http://forum.talkabouttennis.com/ima...lies/smile.png

Too bad we weren't doing this in 2008. Maybe Youzhny would've won even though he didn't actually break his racquet.

The reference to self inflicting damage I believe came from Youzhny's 2008 outburst. That is still a classic. http://forum.talkabouttennis.com/ima...lies/smile.png

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...s-open-aus.jpg
This is what Ryan Harrison's racquet looked like after he smashed it during his match at Oz against Adrian Mannarino. No pics yet how it got like this.

Early favorite.