French Open: Shocking scenes as Arthur Rinderknech kicks board in frustration, retires hurt at Roland-Garros

The second-round match between Arthur Rinderknech and Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the French Open proved to be a memorable one, but not necessarily for the most positive reasons. The Frenchman decided to take out some frustration on an advertising hoarding with his foot during the fourth set, and it ended up proving to be the beginning of the end for him as he was forced to retire hurt soon after.

Watch wild moment Rinderknech kicks hoarding in frustration and has to retire hurt

Video credit: TNT Sports

There were some truly unbelievable scenes out on Court 7 in the second round of the French Open as Arthur Rinderknech was forced to throw the towel in after kicking out at an advertising board.

The Frenchman was taking on Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in what was, at times, a hugely entertaining encounter with the home favourite taking the opening set and then also winning the second 10-8 in an engrossing tie-break.

As the match wore on, though, Etcheverry began to stamp his authority on proceedings as the 28th seed won the third set 6-1 and then broke his opponent's serve early in the fourth to gain the clear momentum in the match.

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It was at this point that Rinderknech lost his cool in a big way. The 28-year-old dropped a tame backhand into the net at deuce on Etcheverry's serve, and his emotions promptly boiled over.

He delivered a string of exaggerated gesticulations at the back of the court as he cursed his play, then smacked his racquet with his left hand. But that was not all.

Next, he proceeded to boot an advertising board at the side of the court with his left foot as the Eurosport cameras panned over to his team shaking their heads in dismay in the stands.

A couple of games later, at the changeover, Rinderknech looked in some considerable pain as he removed his shoe and sock to inspect the damage to his foot and also received medical treatment for the injury.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Play did continue, but three points later, it was all too much for the Frenchman as he surprisingly left a straightforward groundstroke, making no attempt to play at the ball at all.

It was at that point that he simply walked to the net to concede the match and officially retire hurt with Etcheverry able to progress through to the third round in a bizarre way.

17 French men had started the tournament in the main draw, but now only one - Corentin Moutet - remains.

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