Memorable Meltdowns

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 14, 2009

Memorable Meltdowns

Serena Williams

After losing a point when she was called for a foot fault on a second serve, Serena cursed at and threatened the line judge. She received a point penalty for the profane outburst, and because it came on match point, that ended her 6-4, 7-5 loss to Kim Clijsters. A day after the match, Williams was fined $10,000, and she could face additional discipline.

Zinedine Zidane

The French legend and Marco Materazzi exchanged words throughout the match, but then Zidane casually jogged in front of the Italian defender and unleashed the Headbutt Heard 'Round the World. After launching his skull into Materazzi's chest, knocking the Italian to the ground, Zidane -- who was also playing in his final game -- received a red card in the waning minutes of the second overtime. The Azzurri went on to win 5-3 on penalty kicks.

Mike Tyson

Tyson-Holyfield II proved to be one of the most gruesome moments in sports. With 40 seconds to go in the third round, Tyson wrapped up Evander Holyfield, spit out his mouthpiece and then bit off a chunk of Holyfield's right ear, leaving an arena in awe. Tyson was disqualified.

Patrick Ewing

With the Knicks up 3-1 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs, a brawl broke out between Heat forward P.J. Brown and New York guard Charlie Ward, as Brown flipped Ward over his head and body-slammed him. Knicks center Ewing then made perhaps the biggest mistake of all, leaving the bench and drawing a one-game suspension. Without Ewing, the Knicks lost the following game and eventually the series.

Martina Hingis

Hingis was only three points from victory over Steffi Graf, but she argued repeatedly with the referee over line calls, even crossing the net. She then took a bathroom break in the final set and delivered two bizarre, underhanded serves on match point. Graf won the match, and Hingis was reduced to tears during the awards ceremony.

Roger Clemens

Clemens lifted the Red Sox to a shot at the pennant against the A's. But in the second inning of Game 4 in Oakland, the Rocket blasted home plate umpire Terry Cooney for his strike zone and was subsequently ejected. The A's went on to win the game and sweep the series.

Joaquin Andujar

In Game 7 against the Royals, the Cardinals' 20-game winner was called in to relieve ace John Tudor, who had allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings. Andujar promptly gave up a hit and a walk before being ejected for arguing balls and strikes, along with manager Whitey Herzog. The Royals went on to win 11-0.

Woody Hayes

The punch that ended the legendary Ohio State coach's career occurred on Dec. 30, 1978. Clemson defensive back Charlie Bauman ran across the field to pick off an Ohio State pass when Hayes inexplicably punched him on the Buckeyes' sideline. The move cost Hayes his job.

Pete Rose

With the Reds down 9-2 in Game 3, Rose slid hard into second base, taking out Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson. The two tangled and began fighting, rolling around the middle of the infield and clearing the benches. Cincinnati reliever Pedro Borbon bizarrely ripped apart a Mets cap with his teeth, and the New York crowd threw whatever they could find at Rose.