Grunting Female Tennis Players, Stop!
There has been a lot of talk about grunting at this years Wimbledon. I saw on the news the other day that Nick Bollettieri mentioning that he will be providing grunting lessons at his academy after the tournament. I do think that with Maria Sharapova, Michelle Larcher de Brito, Serena Williams and others, there is just too much grunting on court at the moment.
I previously I used to grunt a little bit myself and found that it was more habit than anything, but it was always a small noise compared to Sharapova is producing these days.
So what do you think about grunting and its current situation in the game?
9 Comments
Its a bit extreme the grunting that Maria Sharapova does when shes in the court, loved what the commentators said though once, its more like yelling not grunting which is exactly what it is.
Like what Nick Bollettieri said its more of a habbit but thats not a habbit I dont think yelling that loud, think something needs to be done to either tone them down or train them in removing the habbit completely.
The fact that Maria Sharapova got complaints put through to wimbledon from another court next to centre court, says something about her volume when aparently grunting.
I agree with your sentiments but I’m not sure how rules could be imposed. If like in Cricket enough people frown upon excessive gamesmanship then it would die down. This is good article on it
http://www.thebinocular.co.uk/articles/Grunting_in_Tennis10000017.php
Grunting is totally unneccessary and should not be allowed. Planet Fitness (gym) has established a rule against grunting. It is possible, and helpful to expell a large volume of air when exerting oneself….It does NOT have to have a vocal component. Whether in the gym or on a tennis court, it is distracting to everyone else, and as I said, should not be allowed
i think it should be a rule that you lose the set if you exeed lets say 75db, because its such an annoying and completly pointless habit, to screech as some female tennins players do, and another thing, surely it is disracing for the opponant? to be shouted at, i mean im a gymnast, and if someone scremed at me when im on rings holding crusafix i would alomst certainly be put of my game!, its pointless, annoying and their should be a rule against it!
The only substantive issue is whether or not it can be construed as a hindrance. If no one is bothered, it makes no difference. It is not about the grunter’s innocent motives or ugly gamesmanship. It is about whether if genuinely creates difficulty for the opponent. In my opinion, if the opponent complains that the grunting level is bothering them, the umpire should issue a warning, then make hindrance calls and assess point penalties. If Sharapova (whom I greatly admire) learned that her grunting could cost her many points and matches, she would quickly find an less noisome way to exhale as vigorously as she likes.
I am not a Pro Circuit player by any stretch of the imagination. But I imagine that very loud grunting would make it more difficult for me to return one of Maria’s killer shots, if I could even see it.
I’ve been playing tennis for years and have never grunted. This is disgusting. I don’t watch women’s tennis anymore because of this and most of the girls at the club don’t either. They HAVE to stop this annoying habit…NOW!
Grunting may be a necessary evil in the sport. But, what these women do is not grunting. When was the last time that you heard Roger Federer, possibly the greatest player ever, do this? Never. I can understand noises that come with extreme shots. But, grunting on easy forehand/backhand volleys…. Whats next? Screaming while hitting a drop shot? I prefer watching mens over womens tennis. The noise is just another reason to NOT watch womens tennis. And for the people that say, “who care if it is annoying as long as the opponent has no problem.” No fans = no tournaments = no money