Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been making a run for inclusion in the Tennis Tantrum Hall of Fame for some time now.

During the first round at Wimbledon on Monday, the Canberra prodigy fired an ace.

His on-court, down tools 'narna put us in mind of those that have lost their cool — and often the match — on the big stage.

In no particular order (they are all fabulously appalling in their own way), we present ten of the best dummy-spitting, epically ranting, racquet-smashing, temper tanty tennis meltdowns.

1. John McEnroe, Wimbledon 1981

The original Superbrat, McEnroe has had many, many, many, MANY tanties from which to choose, but this is our favourite — and the original — outburst that set the bar for those to come. You CAN'T be SERIOUS?!  Take it away, John.

 

2. Nick "Dirty Scum" Kyrgios, Wimbledon 2015

Nick Kyrgios went on strike after a fiery exchange with chair umpire Mohammed Layhani in his first-round victory against Diego Schwartzman.

Kyrgios threatened to stop playing after a contentious call cost him a point in the third set of his match, demanding a tournament official come to court for clarification. He was recorded uttering the words "dirty scum" but denied it was directed at the chair umpire.

3. Serena Williams (double Hall of Famer), US Open 2009, US Open 2011

In 2009, Serena Williams landed in hot water during her semi-final at the US Open against Kim Clijsters. The verbal attack on a lineswoman over a foot fault cost her a penalty point and, therefore, the match.

The now infamous tirade included the following threat:  "I swear to God, I'm f------ going to take this f------ ball and shove it down your f------ throat, you hear that? I swear to God."

Two years later, Williams completely lost the plot (again) during the US Open final against Australia's Sam Stosur (who won the match), calling Greek umpire Eva Asderaki "unattractive inside" and a "loser" before adding "I completely despise you".

Williams, who was fined $2000 for the outburst, had received a code violation for yelling "come on" during a point as she battled to stay on serve during the start of the second set.

The ball had not yet reached the Australian and, under grand slam rules, the deliberate hindrance incurs an automatic loss of the point.

Williams, to put it very mildly, did not agree with the ruling.

Some of the choice quotes from her tirade include:

"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control, you're out of control"

"Really, don't even look at me. I promise you don't look at me because I am not ... Don't look my way;

"You're totally out of control. You're a hater and you're just unattractive inside."

​4. Martina Hingis, French Open 1999

The Swiss Miss — just 18 years old at the time — was tantalisingly close to upsetting the reigning champion Steffi Graf when an umpire called a ball out on a crucial point.

Hingis was adamant she had hit the line and proceeded to trash one of tennis' most respected etiquette rules, by walking around to Graf's side of the net to check the mark on the clay. Hingis was then booed viciously by the crowd and lost her composure, then the match, and walked off the court in tears.

5. Marcos Baghdatis, Australian Open 2012

To destroy one racquet might be considered a bit careless, but four? Incredibly the Cypriot's Hulk-SMASH display only pumped up his already massive fan base, elevating his status to that of rock star at subsequent Australian Opens. Baghdatis — who famously travels with a large, partying entourage — was fined $770 and lost the second round match to Stanislas Wawrinka.

6. Jimmy Connors, US Open 1991

He may have been 39 years old at the time but Connors acted with the grace of a three-year-old during a fourth round match against Aaron Krickstein at the 1991 US Open. Connors was losing when he disputed two line calls in the same game, calling the chair umpire "a bum", then "an abortion". He went on to mimic the official and pretended to eject him from the court.

7. Bernard Tomic, Wimbledon 2012

Bernard Tomic has since admitted off-court issues were behind this undignified racquet pounding display in 2012 during his first round loss at Wimbledon.

The fast-car loving sports star took frustration at being knocked out on his racquet and the grass court, thereby securing his reputation as the latest Australian teenaged tennis brat.

8. Andy Roddick, Australian Open 2008 

We've seen more explosive fireworks from Roddick but it is the slow burn and utter contempt and condescension by the American towards the chair umpire that has us transfixed in this case. The American aired his frustrations during the third-round loss questioning whether the umpire's ears were connected to his head.

"I'm going to say this very, very slowly, so you can understand," Roddick spat.

9. David Nalbandian, Queen's Club 2012

One of the more infamous incidents and for Nalbandian, a noted tantrum thrower, an unlucky one.

Nalbandian was leading Marin Čilić by a set but was under pressure in the second in the final of the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club in England. Unhappy with his shot, Nalbandian lashed out and kicked an on-court advertising board next to a judge's chair which ricocheted into the official's shin, causing a cut and drawing plenty of blood.

Nalbandian was immediately disqualified, ending the match. He was forced to forfeit his prize money and ranking points due to his conduct default. A maximum £8000 ($16,400) fine was issued on site by the ATP Supervisor for unsportsmanlike conduct.

In forfeiting his potential prize money of £36,114 plus the £8000 conduct fine, he incurred a total loss over the weekend of £44,114 and was additionally docked 150 ranking points by the ATP. Ouch.

10. Andrea Petkovic, WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 2015

This full-scale tennis temper tantrum from Andrea Petkovic is something to behold as the German loses her temper at the umpire in her match against Zarina Diyas, adamant he has incorrectly called the ball. Tears, screams, lying prostrate on the court?

Has. It. All.