Pickleball star struggles to break paddle in epic meltdown
This pickleball player might need to learn a thing or two from John McEnroe.
After losing match point at the Humana Championship Court during the Carvana PPA Tour, pickleballer Zane Ford went wild on his paddle — and it just wouldn't break.
He lost the point on a wayward volley back to James Ignatowich that went too far to the left of the line and immediately drew an anger-filled reaction from Ford.
Zane Ford crashes out after being upset at tis Pickleball tournament.
X, @PPAtour
He screamed, 'Come on, Jimmy!' after the point fell and the match was sealed.
Ford, 20, instantly began smashing his paddle on the court, slamming it over his knee to finally get it to snap.
Ignatowich couldn't help but crack up laughing at the wild scene as he walked off the court, enjoying his victory.
Ignatowich's win was actually an upset, coming into the tournament as a No. 46 seed against Ford, who was a No. 10 seed.
Zane Ford had to break his paddle over his knee in order to bend it fully.
X, @PPAtour
Ford took the first game of the match impressively, 11-0, before falling apart, losing 11-1 and 11-4 to seal his fate.
Ford is the No. 14-ranked singles player in the league, while coming in at No. 63 in doubles.
Ignatowich is ranked No. 65 in PPA play.
Pickleball has risen in popularity dramatically as it competes for fans with tennis.
The sport was created in 1965, but quickly grew in popularity in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.
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