No More Grunt Work

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June 21, 2009
2:23
The shrieks, grunts and screams that have punctuated the women's tennis game could be missing from Wimbledon this year. Newsy.com sees what the media are saying.
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No Photolincoln marriner
September 11, 2009
02:28 PM
I cannot stand the ridiculous screaming of the William sisters and Sharipova especially...if they need to put that much muscle grunting effort into hitting the ball then take up another sport. Its TOTALLY unacceptable...I love tennis and have turned off the station to wait for the next match to come on...they do not deserve to be on crt. Look at the skill and power of Kim Clijsters. She pounds the ball, no sound...no distraction. I have heard Serena comment that she uses the massive scream to intimidate her oppponent...I say to her her get some racket technique and use that instead. Your ruining the game! Go make a dress and dance yourself into retirement.
No Photolincoln marriner
September 11, 2009
02:28 PM
I cannot stand the ridiculous screaming of the William sisters and Sharipova especially...if they need to put that much muscle grunting effort into hitting the ball then take up another sport. Its TOTALLY unacceptable...I love tennis and have turned off the station to wait for the next match to come on...they do not deserve to be on crt. Look at the skill and power of Kim Clijsters. She pounds the ball, no sound...no distraction. I have heard Serena comment that she uses the massive scream to intimidate her oppponent...I say to her her get some racket technique and use that instead. Your ruining the game! Go make a dress and dance yourself into retirement.
No Photolincoln marriner
September 11, 2009
02:28 PM
I cannot stand the ridiculous screaming of the William sisters and Sharipova especially...if they need to put that much muscle grunting effort into hitting the ball then take up another sport. Its TOTALLY unacceptable...I love tennis and have turned off the station to wait for the next match to come on...they do not deserve to be on crt. Look at the skill and power of Kim Clijsters. She pounds the ball, no sound...no distraction. I have heard Serena comment that she uses the massive scream to intimidate her oppponent...I say to her her get some racket technique and use that instead. Your ruining the game! Go make a dress and dance yourself into retirement.
No Photolincoln marriner
September 11, 2009
02:28 PM
I cannot stand the ridiculous screaming of the William sisters and Sharipova especially...if they need to put that much muscle grunting effort into hitting the ball then take up another sport. Its TOTALLY unacceptable...I love tennis and have turned off the station to wait for the next match to come on...they do not deserve to be on crt. Look at the skill and power of Kim Clijsters. She pounds the ball, no sound...no distraction. I have heard Serena comment that she uses the massive scream to intimidate her oppponent...I say to her her get some racket technique and use that instead. Your ruining the game! Go make a dress and dance yourself into retirement.
No Photosha
July 9, 2009
02:51 PM
Definitely, grunts have almost ruined the game. I have turned off the volume ever since Bud Collins! He was so ridiculous...he thought he even 'knew what Jimmy Connors was THINKING'!!!!!!!!! What a noise-maker he was/is.%u2019

The noises from the 'champions' are needless and even rude, rude to their opponents, horrible to listen to. Its become worse and worse, you should have halted it in the very beginning, now its simply a power play, an obnoxious power play.

I do not even watch the Williams sisters in their outfits that hardly cover them. It was like a sex show in the beginning. Either they listened to %u2018better dressers%u2019 or I%u2019m getting use to their body parts?!

Bring tennis back to gentle folk. Its way out of control.

John Mac was always %u2018right%u2019 on the money and so adorably entertaining! He only helped to wake up the lazy umps!
No Photofayskelley
July 6, 2009
07:33 PM
takes all the fun out of watching tennis, and I too think that this is gamesmanship ... obviously some people feel that they cannot let their "racquet do the talking" !!!
No PhotoGwyndella Rawls
July 5, 2009
07:37 PM
Chris Everett is scared because Venus is getting ready to over take her title. If Wimbleton doesn't want any grunters on their court, don't invite them. Let Sharapova, the william sisters and all of the rest of the grunters stay at home. This goes for the men too. Rodger and all of the rest. Tennis is an individual sport. Wimbleton, make a choice. Remember Indian Wells
No PhotoPat Cusack
July 5, 2009
12:10 PM
What a good idea for the spectators to imitate the grunters!
Another thing that grates on my nerves is all the fist-punching. Are they so insecure that they have to do that? What is happening to this gentle game? It's not in the winning but how the game is played.
No Photodoris holt
July 4, 2009
05:24 PM
gamemanship is so obvious with the grunting---it shouldn't be allowed as it is the most distracting thing I have ever seen done and gotten away with---I hate it
No PhotoJohn Cooper
July 4, 2009
03:55 PM
I think the spectators should get into the act by echoing every grunt. Hopefully such action would put an end to the grunters!
No Photopat cusack
July 4, 2009
12:22 PM
I absolutely hate watching good tennis with all the screaming and grunting going on. Not necessary! Should be penalized if they can't control themselves.
This year's Wimbledon produced some good matches, however, I'm tired of the Williams sisters and Mr. Federer with his strut and gold trim.
No PhotoPeter
July 1, 2009
04:38 PM
I see absolutely no justification for the grunting, and it is distracting. I have never had the misfortune to play against a grunter or shrieker, but I if I had to play tennis on the same court with the noise of a jet plane motorcycle I might be inclined to give up the game. For sure, we all learn to exhale as we make our strokes, but that is no reason to shriek. And surely we can all think of the greats who reached the heights without shrieking - Steffi, Martina, Chris Evert, Sampras, Laver, etc.
No PhotoMargaret
July 1, 2009
03:17 PM
People need to quit worrying about the grunting in women's tennis. Many of these women were taught at a young age to grunt while playing to help with breathing and rhythm. Too bad they didn't have a coach that focused more on having an accurate serve and less on grunting. Women's tennis is in serious trouble - but it isn't because of the loud grunting - it is because there aren't enough women playing at the top level that have the ability to serve well consistently!
No PhotoPAT
July 1, 2009
02:56 PM
Ban the grunts it is totally unecessary and very distracting. I love watching Tennis but will not watch the grunters.
No PhotoPeter
July 1, 2009
12:13 PM
Ban the grunts (for both men and women).
No PhotoFred Reimers
July 1, 2009
07:55 AM
Can't watch women's tennis. Eliminate the ridiculous orgasmic screaming, the centerfold photos and get back to the game. Use the energy to play better tennis and 5 sets like the men. The women are generally awful tennis players at this point and the show is tiresome. Last round women's matches at Wimbledon 6-2, 6-2 or 6-3, 6-1 and they are out of there. Serena's attitude is a worse example than her screaming.

Also, how stupid is climbing up into the stands after winning and all of the crying. I can't get excited about multi-millionaires winning or losing either way so tell the 'perfect' Federer to stop it.

The cost of tennis has also made it inaccessible for the average person. That's why the courts are empty now in the US. I love tennis as a game but not the business of tennis as it has developed by encouraging the bad-boy, bad-girl antics of McEnroe. I used to root for Lendl to take his head off.
No Photobarbara
June 30, 2009
04:37 PM
Turned on Tv to tennis then left to go into nother room to be on computer.From where i was it sounded as if someone was having sex, with all the grunting. Please, Tennis, it is aboutr time to do something about it
No PhotoSandy Tucker
June 30, 2009
04:36 PM
All the loud grunting should be stopped. It is not only distracting, but it is gamesmanship. Tennis players are aware that listening to how the ball comes off the opponents racquet gives clues about where it is going and how fast. This loud noise cancels any chance to hear any of that. There is also some sound when the ball bounces on the court (often). I think it is a big distraction and should be subject to points taken away.
No PhotoJake
June 30, 2009
12:26 PM
Everything in moderation. It is no longer moderate. Often I feel like switching it off.
No PhotoMary L Pearce
June 29, 2009
05:04 PM
I am one of the very older people that is very much into watching tennis. I well remember Monica Seles when she began her loud grunting. How annoying, I almost quit watching tennis because of her...I hope these other clean up there act. They don't need that to win..I mute my TV most of the time.during Tennis coverage
No Photoannie
June 29, 2009
03:10 PM
A grunt when you make a special hard shot is normal. Shrieking and screeming is stupid, deliberate, and not necessary. Only immature girls think it is cool to imitate Sharapova. She should put a sock in it. Very irritating - and I agree with a previous post that listening to some of these commentators talk on and on during play is equally irritating.
No PhotoCleej222
June 29, 2009
12:19 PM
I think it is rediculous to complain about grunting. After all this is part of the game! I love tennis and it does not bother me one bit. I say...."leave em alone!"
No PhotoJohn Williams
June 29, 2009
06:37 AM
I like it. I find it stimulating. I like Venus's noise the most and Sharapova's the least of the top women. That one girl with the prolonged wail is even worse than Sharapova. Her's has a fake quality to it, while the the Williams sisters and Davenport, for example, sound sincere--and passionate. Sharapova sounds sincere enough, but dispassionate. All in all, though, I find it attractive. I would really miss it if they stopped!
No Photoclark rorbach
June 28, 2009
09:41 AM
they use it to disguise the speed of the ball which you, as the opponent, determine if the ball was struck solidly or not. It throws your game off. I played a player who strung their racquet so lose I couldn't pick up the pace of the ball immediately because i couldn;t hear the contact so they are using the grunting in their favor. Why do they grunt so loud when they hit a ball 20 mph. it is as obnoxious as listening to Martina N. talk through every match. Women's tennis is great without the sound which is bad for the sponsors. Turn off the sound like me and turn on the music.
No PhotoWill Scully
June 27, 2009
05:08 PM
ALL of these complaints are TRIVIAL, when compared to the secret drug corporations take-over of the game (and all our lives) by using the players as "Guinea Pigs"! See Fassbinder's film "VV", or just read the scoop on Michael Jackson's recent death to guess the message: HITLER'S EUTHENASIA PROGRAM is ALIVE & WELL, and in fact "SNOWBALLING" as Corporations like Monsanto (now cooking up new veggies with Dole!) learn to make profits on their consumers DEAD BODIES! The DRUG COUNCIL'S now mandatory everyday in players life tests: DO NOT LIST CORPORATE ANALOG DRUGS under "Illegal" - yet EVERY NATURAL PLANT PRODUCED MAINLY BY NATIVE EARTH PEOPLES - is listed as "Illegal". This now completing scam threatens the life of every human on the planet, and is being fought partly on the courts (tennis that is) right now!
No PhotoDoris Holt
June 27, 2009
04:39 PM
I think the loud grunts and screams are gamemanship of the worst sort---if you were to scream when someone was getting ready to hit the ball it is the same thing. They scream loudly when they hit the ball softer, to make you think they hit it hard. People will maybe make a small noise with effort, so I think "get a decible meter", and fine players for exceeding an acceptable level---you will see that they don't have to grunt after all to be able to hit the ball. As a tennis player I have had many players make noise to distract others when hitting, and they are the worst sports--it shouldn't be allowed in professional sports.
You don't allow other forms of gamemanship. and tha is all it is, and it is infuriating to me. AddRESS IT AND STOP IT.
No PhotoHank
June 27, 2009
03:30 PM
It is about time it has happened and I am proud of the British Association for having the courage to take the stand. Lets face it, They stopped being grunts from the effort of swinging and have long been designed as a distraction for the opponent (really hasn't even worked at that with the good players.)
No Photoemmey
June 27, 2009
10:26 AM
I never understood why it was allowed when Monica started her annoying grunting. Sharapova is unwatchable for the grunting and her tedious style of play. Serena Williams is another guilty party in this very annoying trend. Lets get rid of it along with all the time taken between serves.
No PhotoCatrella
June 27, 2009
02:31 AM
It disguises the sound of the returned ball....it's cheating....and low class...the gentlemanly/ladylike players don't do it. Grunters...Go back to your double-wides.
No PhotoBetty Gage
June 27, 2009
01:18 AM
About time--it's been disgusting and unsportamanship like behavio. You keep the spectators quiet and then allow that screeching from the players. I won't listen to it.
No PhotoTosh
June 26, 2009
07:46 PM
i can't watch womens tennis anymore coz it's so annoying. Fair enough men grunt too, but their grunts (in most cases) come from the stomach, a low pitched grunt, proper grunt. The likes of Sharapova use their throats and scream! It's so high pitched. How is she not embarrassed but it i will never know
No Photoshay
June 26, 2009
01:35 PM
The intensity of grunting on the female tennis circuit is so insidious and unnecessary. It causes me to turn the volume down and/or to switch channels despite my interest in following matches. I agree that the grunts need to be minimized and associated with a fine, because it displays a presence of anxiety and stress that carries over to viewers. Maria Sharapova has taken the word "grunting" to a different level. It seems that she is more than trying to hit the ball over the net, she is using her voice to motivate herself to make shots and to intimidate her opponent, without any deference of her viewers to watch her play and not hear her play. I can recall hearing on television her grunts during her AEGON tennis match, when she was nowhere in view of the camera and tennis analysts. That is excessive in my opinion. Please stop because there is not enough Zanax for the world to take after they hear and watch Maria and others play. smile
No Photoalice
June 26, 2009
11:13 AM
get rid of grunting - period. very annoying.
TDocTDoc
June 25, 2009
04:23 PM
The grunts made by players shown in this video are hilarious! I'd like to know how many percent of professional players do that. Do umpires give warnings during the game?
No PhotoMatt
June 25, 2009
10:59 AM
I agree with Ben - it's either grunting or no grunting in tennis, and it should apply to men and women. As a viewer I don't mind it, but if I was playing someone who grunted all the time and I didn't, it would drive me crazy. I really think the sport can do without it.
No Photoben
June 25, 2009
10:44 AM
IF THEY BAN IF FOR THE WOMEN, THEY SHOULD BAN IT FOR THE MEN TOO.
No PhotoRo
June 24, 2009
11:27 PM
I have luckily worked with some great players over the past years. I have been on the court when they are being instructed on the modern game of tennis. The girls that have accomplished higher goals are not being encouraged to make noise in order to improve their technique. Case by case some girls have felt more comfortable making noise. It is in my opinion that these noises
started before the higher level girls reached the higher level coaches.
No PhotoKathleen Johnson
June 24, 2009
08:35 PM
I like to hear the strike of the ball. And having played tennis myself, I know that it is important to hear how well your opponent has hit the ball. Grunting is annoying as well as gamesmanship. I am ready to stop watching women's tennis if the situation does not improve, especially since I've learned that some coaches are encouraging the behavior.
zeq2m8zeq2m8
June 24, 2009
04:20 PM
This is why I only watch women's tennis on mute. Otherwise, it's terrifying.
CHARLESCHARLES
June 23, 2009
07:53 PM
Sharapova 100 decibels...WOW, that is ridiculous.. only 9 DB from the roar of a lion haha..She should tone it down a bit
No Photodrmodel
June 23, 2009
05:36 PM
I didn't know grunting was such a big deal on the court or that it was so loud. Yes, it may be a danger to someone's hearing, but has that all been scientifically proven? Are people's hearing damaged that much from grunts? Has there been studies done on this? Plus, how would one keep an athlete from grunting?
robotsoulrobotsoul
June 23, 2009
10:46 AM
I don't really watch tennis so I didn't realize this was a problem, it is so bizarre, especially since it is more common for female players. I say let em do it, I think sometimes we just don't want sports to change, but they tend to naturally evolve over time. If the affectation is strategic then I think they should consider letting it stay.
No Photocshort
June 22, 2009
04:52 PM
The grunts are slightly ridiculous. It seems like it would take more energy to grunt that loud. I don't see the problem is asking the players to keep it down. But, what's the line for being "too loud." hahaha. It's all so funny to me.
No PhotoMattS
June 22, 2009
04:12 PM
Name that Grunt---what a great idea. Kudos to The Independent for this brilliant Web site feature. The grunt has been a part of tennis for years. I don't see it going away no matter how loud the decibel level reaches.
meghankmeghank
June 22, 2009
02:22 PM
I was under the impression that grunting was a theatrical means of intimidating one's opponent. I don't think it is necessary for the game, and it detracts from watching the skill of the player's on display. I will be curious to see if the grunting actually decreases.
No PhotoTheFox
June 22, 2009
01:16 PM
I don't see the problem with telling them to keep it down a bit; it certainly isn't cheating but it also isn't flattering. I'm pretty sure they can play at the same level without all of that excessive noise..a little grunting is fine, but they're practically screaming.
Jessi StaffordJessi Stafford
June 22, 2009
12:28 PM
While it's definitely annoying, it's how they play the game. It's become synonymous with women's tennis. Let them do their thing. If it bothers you, earplugs or lowering the volume on your TV is a quick fix. If there's no more grunting, what else will we make fun of?
smcf69smcf69
June 22, 2009
10:39 AM
These grunts are a little overboard. It's a little pathetic when websites are having people "guess the grunt." The focus is moving off of the actual quality of the women players.
No Photonrgyr8
June 21, 2009
09:53 PM
That one girl is ridiculous. I play every now and then and a little grunting can add some juice to the forehand, but this is just stupid. I agree with Brad Gilbert. It makes a mockery of a classy sport. What would people say if Tiger started screaming on all his drives?
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