Express & Star

Graphic: Five classic Wimbledon tantrums

Wimbledon is back and it's time for great tennis, strawberries, Cliff Richard singing – and tantrums.

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With the weather set to be as red-hot as the action over the next fortnight, it's a safe bet that tensions will rise.

No sooner had the action got under way yesterday than Nick Kyrgios was in trouble, although he insisted he was calling himself 'dirty scum,' and not the umpire, in his routine victory over Diego Schwartzman.

Here, Jamie Brassington takes a look at the five best (or worst) tennis tantrums in the competition down the years.

1 John McEnroe, 1981.

Perhaps the most famous tantrum in Wimbledon's history was McEnroe's rant over umpire Edward James's ruling of his shot in the first round.

"You can't be serious, man. You cannot be serious! That ball was on the line. Chalk flew up. It was clearly in. You guys are the absolute pits of the world!" was how Superbrat reacted.

His words may have lasted a few seconds but have since featured in pop songs, film dialogue and car rental adverts.

2 Tim Henman, Wimbledon 1995.

Henman and doubles partner Jeremy Bates became the first players to be disqualified from Open era tennis. During their first round tie, Henman reacted angrily to his misfired volley.

He pelted the ball which went astray and hit a ball girl in the ear, which led to the pair being subsequently dismissed.

He later apologised to ball girl Caroline Thomas and presented her with flowers.

3 Jeff Tarango, 1995.

Unseeded American Tarango guaranteed his name would be remembered after informing the match official he was 'the most corrupt official in the game.'

Tarango had been angered that umpire Bruno Rebeuh had ruled against him and soon was leaving the court, telling the crowd to 'shut up' as they jeered in his protest.

Rebeuh then had to face the wrath of Tarango's wife, who slapped him twice, when he walked back to the umpire's room.

4 Greg Rusedski, 2003.

The British tennis ace became enraged after he mistook a shout from the crowd as the judges call.

A spectator in the stands shouted 'out' at his opponents back-hand, which he left thinking the umpire had ruled the decision.

He lost his serve in the next interval as a result and launched a verbal tirade at the umpire, saying: "I can't do anything if the crowd calls it. It's absolutely ridiculous."

5 Ilie Nastase, 1977.

"You call me Mister. I'm reporting you to the referee for calling me Nastase. Call me Mister Nastase" said Nastase, finger wagging as he walked up to the umpire.

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