Grunting

[GotGame?]

How frequently do you grunt? What is the reason for your grunting?

Grunting actually comes fairly naturally to me. I only do it if I feel that I need to kick into an extra gear, and I usually keep it very low sounding and raise it higher if I need more push.

[armand]

"Only when you feel needed"? Like if I feel that someone needs me, let's say a girl, I should grunt, perhaps as a mating call or something? Ok, I'll grunt to that

[GotGame?]

"Only when you feel needed"? Like if I feel that someone needs me, let's say a girl, I should grunt, perhaps as a mating call or something? Ok, I'll grunt to that

You know what I mean. I thought I explained it clearly in my reason for grunting.

[moosryan]

I should grunt more...my coach thinks it wiill help my asthma. I really only grunt when I get in the zone. So maybe if I grunt more I'll be in the zone more?

[newracketagain??]

i hate grunting, it makes me feel like a complete fool, but i really cant help it, especially during hard long rallies when ure giving it ure all!

id love to be able to stop!

[TennsDog]

I don't tend to grunt at all on groundstrokes, pretty much just on the serve. And most of my grunts on serve mean I probably should have caught the toss because it wasn't exactly right, but sometimes I grunt anyway.

[Jon Hampton]

I only start grunting when the ralley has extended past 5 balls (that is, my opponent and I have each hit more than 5 balls). I don't know why I do it, it's just reflex...I feel like every shot becomes desparation to do something miraculous. And, there's nothing like grunting and then eventually winning the point, which leads to the all-powerful COME ON!

[x Southpaw x]

I make a silent grunt (more like a good exhale) when I'm going for my hardest shots. I grunt loud when I'm desperately chasing the lob when from the net. I grunt when I've been jammed and want to try and get the ball as deep as I can. I start making very-noisy grunts on serve when my opponent has been dissing me off with his noisy grunts the entire game. Other than that... I play pretty quietly.

[FREDDY]

i grunt frequently but not grunt so that everyone can hear me. i think i grunt everytime i hit the ball. like 1/2 a decibel.

[XFactorer]

I grunt when my opponent starts hitting the ball harder, and I stop thinking and just try to pound it back over, too. Other than that, I don't really grunt.

[Love40]

Mine are mostly just loud exhalations, no "voice" in them...
Although, apparently I grunt a little louder on an ocassional first serve 'cause my doubles partner will rib me some...

[Bungalo Bill]

My "grunting" which I have never felt is necessary is more of a breathing technique. I exhale on contact. Very few times a "moaning" or low "sound" comes out but I am the only person hearing it.

Loud disruptive grunting on every single shot is ridiculous. I particulary find it laughable when someone says they cant play tennis unless they grunt real loud.

My take is grunting loudly on strokes comes from a person that is seeking attention. But they do it so often that it turns into something they have to do in order to play tennis.

[theace21]

When I hit my kick serve I let out a sound, hardly qualifies as a grunt compared to Maria...

[darkhorse]

I only grunt during long matches or when I'm trying to hit an overhead that's slightly behind me (the ones where you have to jump backwards). I do play better when I grunt, I think, though, so maybe I should try more.

[joe sch]

Grunting becomes a habit used for releasing energy. It is used in tennis just like in martial arts. Many tennis players learn to grunt upon releasing all thier energy into the stroke. The volume is personal and often times corresponds to the level of effort. Grunting is good sorta like smiling can be good for staying relaxed while playing. Even stoic Bjorn could not hide all his grunting like he could his emotions.

[slice bh compliment]

Have you guys heard a lot of the juniors out there today, with the whining/moaning sort of grunt? Even the boys. More vocal than breath-driven.
And I'm not talking about the Guga-style, lingering, sing-song grunt. This is almost like a wounded cat. IT is even worse on adolescent boys whose voices are a changin'.

A couple of juniors at my club have picked it up from a camp and an academy they attended this summer, and it's spreading. Well, I suppose if there's a reason for it and it helps the kids play well, it's okay. But it sounds pretty weak, if you ask me.

[Bungalo Bill]

Grunting becomes a habit used for releasing energy. It is used in tennis just like in martial arts. Many tennis players learn to grunt upon releasing all thier energy into the stroke. The volume is personal and often times corresponds to the level of effort. Grunting is good sorta like smiling can be good for staying relaxed while playing. Even stoic Bjorn could not hide all his grunting like he could his emotions.

This is a common response to those that support loud grunting. I think it should be banned as it is disruptive to the other player. I think it boardlines into "talking" or "yelling" during the point.

People who support grunting always point to the martial arts. But none of the supporters mention sports like baseball, badminton, or golf. Heck, if grunting is necessary for releasing energy, we should begin hearing people grunt loudly when they perform a "break" in pool or when they send the ball down a bowling alley at lightening speed. Or maybe the next time I see a Quarterback throw long he ought to yell out this loud grunt as he is doing it.

If they cant grunt, they can sit in a corner and sulk as to how they can only play if they yell. Crazy!

[armand]

I grunt after I hit the ball. Anyone else grunt like this? The only other player I've ever heard grunt like me is Kuerten.
But anyway, I rarely get into the grunting mode, only when I'm really getting tired.

[AngeloDS]

I hardly ever grunt, the only time I ever grunt would be like the last point where I need to go 110% to win that last point. I stay pretty quiet the whole match, I've never had the initiative to grunt.

I don't mind grunting when I'm in the game, because I can tune it out fairly easily. The problem is when I'm watching a match, or spectating. I can't stand it, it just annoys the crap out of me and takes away from the game imo.

[kevhen]

I grunt only when putting everything into my shot usually when trying to reverse heavy topspin. It happens maybe on 1/20 shots for me and often depends upon who I am playing and how hard I am hitting.

[Klippy]

i hardly grunt, sometimes just silently, unless on my serve when i bend back so far there is alot of stress on the lower back

[fantom]

My "grunting" which I have never felt is necessary is more of a breathing technique. I exhale on contact. Very few times a "moaning" or low "sound" comes out but I am the only person hearing it.

Loud disruptive grunting on every single shot is ridiculous. I particulary find it laughable when someone says they cant play tennis unless they grunt real loud.

My take is grunting loudly on strokes comes from a person that is seeking attention. But they do it so often that it turns into something they have to do in order to play tennis.

I agree w/ everything here. I've often wondered if anybody could hear my "exhale".

[Noelle]

I grunt after I hit the ball. Anyone else grunt like this? The only other player I've ever heard grunt like me is Kuerten.
Nikolay Davydenko grunts after hitting the ball. I find that I also do this at times; usually it's because I was holding my breath at contact and released it a little late, which happens when I get tight.

[joe sch]

This is a common response to those that support loud grunting. I think it should be banned as it is disruptive to the other player. I think it boardlines into "talking" or "yelling" during the point.

People who support grunting always point to the martial arts. But none of the supporters mention sports like baseball, badminton, or golf. Heck, if grunting is necessary for releasing energy, we should begin hearing people grunt loudly when they perform a "break" in pool or when they send the ball down a bowling alley at lightening speed. Or maybe the next time I see a Quarterback throw long he ought to yell out this loud grunt as he is doing it.

If they cant grunt, they can sit in a corner and sulk as to how they can only play if they yell. Crazy!

BB, Grunting is not necessary but helps release of energy. For sports that require a burst of energy like hitting in tennis, baseball, boxing, ... grunting can really help. As for the volume, I think the case in point is power lifting ! Have you seen how load those power lifters grunt when performing those feats ?

Grunting can be a grey area in tennis since if it is not consistent and natural, the opponent can attempt to use the hinderance rule and get points over ruled.

[Bungalo Bill]

BB, Grunting is not necessary but helps release of energy. For sports that require a burst of energy like hitting in tennis, baseball, boxing, ... grunting can really help. As for the volume, I think the case in point is power lifting ! Have you seen how load those power lifters grunt when performing those feats ?

Grunting can be a grey area in tennis since if it is not consistent and natural, the opponent can attempt to use the hinderance rule and get points over ruled.

Well I think we will just agree to diagree. I believe proper breathing is necessary in tennis - not loud grunting. You are also talking about a power lifter trying to heave over 500lbs over his head? I WOULD BE GRUNTING AND MOANING TOO! But in tennis, we aren't heaving or pulling 500 lbs.

I would prefer to keep the examples to the swinging sports like baseball and golf. Lots of power - no loud obnoxious grunting.

If loud grunting was so necessary, I wish ice skaters would do it everytime they landed. I wish ice hockey players would do it. I wish swimmers would do it on each stroke or as they are barrelling into the finish line.

IMO it should be banned and considered a hinderance.

[kevhen]

So you wouldn't grunt if you were stretched out and tried to return a Sampras serve with all it's pace, depth, and spin? Grunting upon striking the ball should never be outlawed but the extreme volume and length of some grunting should be debated and discussed as to whether the player should be warmed and then allow the opponent to call a hindrance if it continues.

[Bungalo Bill]

So you wouldn't grunt if you were stretched out and tried to return a Sampras serve with all it's pace, depth, and spin?

No I wouldnt just as much as I wouldnt belt out a loud grunt if Sandy Koufax or Nolan Ryan steamed a fast ball at me and I tried to hit it. It is not necessary. Period.


Grunting upon striking the ball should never be outlawed but the extreme volume and length of some grunting should be debated and discussed as to whether the player should be warmed and then allow the opponent to call a hindrance if it continues.

I have no problem with rythmic low volume moans or releases. But the screaming and loud decibel voicetrous yelling I will never ever accept. I dont care how many karate chop stories anyone comes up with. I especially will not accept when a player is penalized for it all of a sudden just cant hit a ball. It is the biggest garbage I have ever seen.

It is pointless, unnecessary, and should be considered a hinderance. Just be thankful I am not the umpire. Or it would be "point to the player not screaming!" Bring on the criticism. Let's get this debate over with and rule on the issue.

[kevhen]

I agree that the loud screaming and grunting on every shot is a nuisance that started with Seles and has grown worse but the women may be hitting at 100% power most all of the time now where some grunting may naturally occur. But screaming should never occur!

[Tim Tennis]

I actually think grunting is being taught as an aid in timing the swing and encouraging maximum exceleration through the ball. It brings into play the visual and verbal areas of the brain and gets them to work together for better focus. The grunting confirms the level of effort/energy put into the shot.

BB get out there and try a few. Start out with little baby grunts on the soft shots and as you start to hit harder turn up the volume, when you really crank a few let out a big pappa bear GRUNT. Now I am not talking about those squeals the girls do. I am talking manly GRUNTS. LOL Bill you know I am just teasing you here.

You got to love the game.

[Bungalo Bill]

BB get out there and try a few. Start out with little baby grunts on the soft shots and as you start to hit harder turn up the volume, when you really crank a few let out a big pappa bear GRUNT. Now I am not talking about those squeals the girls do. I am talking manly GRUNTS. LOL Bill you know I am just teasing you here.

You got to love the game.

LOL, yeah I got out there and tried screaming on every shot. I wanted Sarapova to hear me (wherever she is). I lost my voice after about ten of them and now I can't talk. Got lots of attention though.

[Frodo Baggins]

my take on this..Grunting if done proper can be usefull..As for screamers I would Muzzle them.. like williams an shrapova..Ekkk*Covers ears*.. an Bill I would love to hear you scream or grunt very sexy..Remember the old but fun thread in the first Message board..Called Grunting ..Ahhh Memories..Now that was Fun!!!

[Bungalo Bill]

my take on this..Grunting if done proper can be usefull..As for screamers I would Muzzle them.. like williams an shrapova..Ekkk*Covers ears*.. an Bill I would love to hear you scream or grunt very sexy..Remember the old but fun thread in the first Message board..Called Grunting ..Ahhh Memories..Now that was Fun!!!

Yeah maybe someone can develop a tennis muzzle for our screamers out there.

As far as me screaming on the court, it was a sight to see. :) I do remember the other post on grunting - what an emotional rollercoaster that was.

[Bungalo Bill]

The scoop on grunting (GO ALAN!):

============================================

Crackdown on "Grunting" in Tennis

Wimbledon referee Alan Mills wants to crackdown on players grunting during play. Mills, who retires this summer, says that the two biggest complaints they receive from the public were about grunting and spitting.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova was unofficially recorded at 101.2 decibels which is almost as loud as a police siren. Mills stated it was something he would like to see an end to.

When asked about her grunting Sharapova said "You always ask me the same questions, I don't pay any attention to that and I never have and I never probably will."

================================================== ====

Give me a break "grunt" supporters! I mean come on, a police siren? This is necessary? I hope Sharapova gets nailed for this or leaves the sport. Is this really necessary? Never did care for her anyway. LOL

[AngeloDS]

I don't see how they don't lose their voice. I remember for fun, my friends and I grunted during the varsity season when we were hitting with the ball machine. After hitting with that ball machine for 20 minutes and grunting hard. I found my throat to be REALLY dry, and extremely just not that great.

[XFactorer]

I don't think grunting is necessary... I just think it's a habit that some players do. In tennis magazine, they talked about how exhaling helps a player drive through the ball. Some people exhale in the form of a grunt, and I find it to be OK. If the other opponent is distracted by a grunt, obviously he/she isn't concentrating on the game. I think a good player (mentally/physically) can block out audible distractions. I don't think it should be banned.

[Love40]

or when they send the ball down a bowling alley at lightening speed.

I grunt when I bowl... :roll:

[Bungalo Bill]

I grunt when I bowl... :roll:

Is it as loud as a police siren? If not, you need to keep practicing.

[SageOfDeath]

If I'm really running down a shot that's short or wide then I tend to grunt. Its sub-concious, or if I'm hitting harder than usual.

[elbuzzard_lives]

its really annoying when the ladies do it. not as bad when the guys do. btw.....

....

im gay.

[The_Dark_Knight]

I like grunting in sports like golf.........when i'm playing with my friends. I like to see the faces of people passing by when i chip a ball on the green while going UHHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

[Mark S. Hogan]

It does seem to help me keep my wrist from releasing too early. Like when I try to hit through three balls. It doesn't have to be loud.

[SageOfDeath]

The scoop on grunting (GO ALAN!):

============================================

Crackdown on "Grunting" in Tennis

Wimbledon referee Alan Mills wants to crackdown on players grunting during play. Mills, who retires this summer, says that the two biggest complaints they receive from the public were about grunting and spitting.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova was unofficially recorded at 101.2 decibels which is almost as loud as a police siren. Mills stated it was something he would like to see an end to.

When asked about her grunting Sharapova said "You always ask me the same questions, I don't pay any attention to that and I never have and I never probably will."

================================================== ====

Give me a break "grunt" supporters! I mean come on, a police siren? This is necessary? I hope Sharapova gets nailed for this or leaves the sport. Is this really necessary? Never did care for her anyway. LOL

are you serious? I think unofficially is the key word. 101.2 decibels is very very loud.

I don't grunt after I hit every shot but sometimes I do. The only time I grunt loud enough to be heard is when I'm running wide or towards a drop shot.

[Bungalo Bill]

are you serious? I think unofficially is the key word. 101.2 decibels is very very loud.

I don't grunt after I hit every shot but sometimes I do. The only time I grunt loud enough to be heard is when I'm running wide or towards a drop shot.

I really dont mind Guga's humming that he does. I dont think that is loud and it is really a timing thing he is doing. This is because he doesnt do it all the time.

But when Shara-loud-mouth-pova gets on court, I get the ear plugs out and hand them to my kids so they can watch the match.

She is just out of control. I love it when the chair umpire tells her to (shut up) stop grunting or yelling, and then she all of a sudden can't hit a ball. What a joke. This totally tells me it is NOT a breathing thing but a mental/emotional thing.

It needs to be banned or penalized every match.

[GRANITECHIEF]

Does anybody else focus on the sound the ball makes at impact on your racket? I find that focusing on that helps me make cleaner contact and can also help with rythm.

I do however make a little Guga-style noise when i'm maxing out on effort.

[Bungalo Bill]

I do however make a little Guga-style noise when i'm maxing out on effort.

I am absolutely fine with that. But if you "maximized" your "yelling" on all your shots, I would call for a ruling and get you penalized.

[papa]

Well, I'm completely with BB on this one because this grunt/groan/scream thing is getting out of hand. Not only does it effect the players on the same court but it can effect those several courts away - to me its crazy and I generally let them know that the practice stinks. Like many things, I hope it has run its course but I really think its far from over.

[joe sch]

If you really want to play zennis than you can use your own grunting or the opponents to help you get into a rythem. Being able to ignore or enjoy distractions is is a very powerful ability in focusing. Surely there should be limits to everything but overcoming all events that are not outlawed by the rules can be a very positive experience. I think most of the players on the tour now are not bothered by the grunting and the most interesting point is that when players are bothered by grunting, is usually when they are strugging or losing ;)

[Bungalo Bill]

...usually when they are strugging or losing ;)

Joe please!

Irregardless if a player is struggling, the playing conditions should be equal. The rules should be equal for both players.

Plus, let's reverse your "zennis". Why is it that when a player is ruled to NOT scream on every point they all of a sudden start playing poorly? I mean why should that ruin their concentration? ;)

If I am struggling, the last thing I want to hear is someone screaming all the time. I need to refocus and concentrate because I have gotten distracted whether it was from the loud obnoxious screaming or maybe I just had a bad day.

Learning to "enjoy" someone screaming in your head all day long is a lot like saying I should enjoy eating my food while someone is blowing second hand cigarette smoke in my nose.

"Zennis" or tennis, everyone deserves equal playing conditions that are free of UNNECESSARY distractions. Not everyone is into "zennis" just like not everyone out there are mormons, or christians, or hindus, or muslims. Everyone has different tolerances and the rules are there so that the playing conditions are as equal and fair as possible.

If a well respected Wimbledon person is seeking to ban this and rid it from oour sport maybe that is saying something.

Screaming while you are swinging a 10oz racquet at police siren levels is wrong.

[one_fast_serve]

i think there's nothing wrong with grunting. i've tried playing without grunting and i find it more difficult to hit harder, i guess it's like what joe said, it helps me exhale. i grunt all the time and no one has complained to me about it. besides, good players should be able to block out distractions like that.

[Bungalo Bill]

i think there's nothing wrong with grunting. i've tried playing without grunting and i find it more difficult to hit harder, i guess it's like what joe said, it helps me exhale. i grunt all the time and no one has complained to me about it. besides, good players should be able to block out distractions like that.

So you can't play unless you scream! LOL What kind of concentration is that? So a good player is suppose to block out YOU as their distraction? Dont think so. Another player can not distract their opponent to gain an upper hand in competition. PERIOD!

"I hit harder if I scream?" "It helps me exhale?"

All you have to do is let out the air. I think you just like hearing yourself yell. It makes you feel like you are doing something. I think it has more to do with your auditory senses then anything else. It is not just breathing.

"I find it difficult to hit hard unless I scream" LOL, not even going there.

[All Court]

He never said he was screaming, Bungalo. ;)

Grunting doesn't have to be the loud, obnoxious screams people think it is. More often than not, grunting IS the product of exhaling. That's what's supposed to happen when people grunt.

A lot of people can exhale just fine when swinging the ball, and they dont have to vocalize it. For other people, grunting is just a side effect.

You should never try to grunt to attempt to force an exhale or for the sole purpose of doing it, but it's just what happens for many. So why are people so hostile towards it?

I don't grunt personally, but it never bothers me when people do. It's blown out of proportion.

[Bungalo Bill]

He never said he was screaming, Bungalo. ;)

Grunting doesn't have to be the loud, obnoxious screams people think it is. More often than not, grunting IS the product of exhaling. That's what's supposed to happen when people grunt.

A lot of people can exhale just fine when swinging the ball, and they dont have to vocalize it. For other people, grunting is just a side effect.

You should never try to grunt to attempt to force an exhale or for the sole purpose of doing it, but it's just what happens for many. So why are people so hostile towards it?

I don't grunt personally, but it never bothers me when people do. It's blown out of proportion.

And you need to read more posts. I said I didnt have a problem with moaning or groaning for rythym.

Loud unnecessary voicetrous noises is not right. It is an uncessary distraction for the other player. Players are not allowed to distract another players ability to concentrate. A player does not need to enroll in special concentration classes just to "block" out someone who is belting out their "breathing" technique.

Something like what Guga does is not bothering to me. But if I was playing Shara-screamer-pova, I would be all over that umpire.

It is not blown out of porportion. Grunting has been blown out of porportion. If it doesnt matter to you - great! You can move on. But it could bother someone else and that is not fair.

I am more then happy to debate this because I am one that wants this banned. I dont want this to go on a personal insult level. I think we can argue without that.

As you can tell I dont like it, it is not necessary, and anyone saying that they NEED to yell to hit a ball, is sadly mistaken.

[All Court]

I'm sorry, my response wasn't directly pointed against you, it's just my point of view. The only part I was intentionally aiming for you was on the first sentence. :D

Gruntapova is something else. But on a quick note, the people watching her matches don't seem very perturbed, ever. It's more than likely everything is very much amplified for the TV and recordings. Of course, it could be that it's not, but oh well.

As you can tell I dont like it, it is not necessary, and anyone saying that they NEED to yell to hit a ball, is sadly mistaken.

Gotta agree with you. :D

The deep breathing that people need and relaxes naturally is breathing from the chest, sort of. When the vocalizing/grunting happens, the cause (USUALLY) is because you're not breathing from the chest.

As a result, the grunt often carries no benefit. The "exhaling for power" thing often doesn't work, because what is supposed to give the "power" is the relaxation of muscles through contact...supported by the deep, chest breathing. The same deep breathing helps relax during points, and should always be done when someone has time.

But for the majority of the same screamers...I gotta go with your opinion, Bill. :D

[joe sch]

Sharapova at 110 db's can be pretty annoying, just like Seles was. Im just saying that until grunting at xx db's is dissallowed by the rules then good players will have to learn to ignore the opponents grunting. You can also use the grunts as a timing mechanism to further help you prepare for the oncoming shot. There are lots of positve ways to deal with the grunting until possibly made illegal. I dont think this will happen and I dont have any problem dealing with consistent grunting :) For those of you that do, I have offered several ways to help you deal with it. Keep the focus and may the force be with you :)

[Bungalo Bill]

Sharapova at 110 db's can be pretty annoying, just like Seles was. Im just saying that until grunting at xx db's is dissallowed by the rules then good players will have to learn to ignore the opponents grunting. You can also use the grunts as a timing mechanism to further help you prepare for the oncoming shot. There are lots of positve ways to deal with the grunting until possibly made illegal. I dont think this will happen and I dont have any problem dealing with consistent grunting :) For those of you that do, I have offered several ways to help you deal with it. Keep the focus and may the force be with you :)

Well, I think we will agree to disagree. It is a tough topic to debate on.

I dont have a problem with people hummin, or buzzin, or moanin. I really dont. I think all of us can agree that the screaming that is going on is a bit overboard.

I dont use other peoples moaning for my timing. I use my own. I really dont think players should just turn their backs on the loud ones. I really do think they should complain.

Each player needs to be able to beat the other player without feeling subjective to their opponents vocal distractions. We need to respect all players and the rules of tennis. Some players dont care but others do care. And I think it would be a mistake to say "well, just block it out", or "gee, you can't concentrate with a blowhorn in your ear? I can, what's wrong with you?"

I really think it should be penalized especially if it is happening loudly on every shot. I mean if you didn't know any better, you would think someone was dying out there.

So, I am with you on using it for yourself and having it within reason. But when it gets to the point where it is real loud, I have to say - warning.

The trouble with this is how do you measure what is loud and what is acceptable?

[SageOfDeath]

They should have a decible reader. NO more than audible. 110 decibles is painful to the human ears if not damaging.

[westside]

I only grunt when i start to get tired

[Rafa's boy]

Complain, complain, complain! Is it really hindering you so much to count grunting as that much of an interference?

I think grunting is great because I feel it gives me that extra "oomph" and helps me keep going. Grunting is just as distracting as an injury to players. If you get something like a bruise during a match, it will effect you throughout the entire match most likely. It appears that many run into the same situation with grunting...

[Bungalo Bill]

Complain, complain, complain! Is it really hindering you so much to count grunting as that much of an interference?

We arent really arguing about grunting, we are arguing about the screaming or grunting unecessarily loud. If you did it, I would get you penalized. If you did it again, I would seek to get you kicked out of the match. That is the way it goes. To me all the rules are equal and should be enforced.

It is like the rules that govern whether a ball is in or out. If you grunt loudly and it is hindering me, I will seek a ruling. It is also my attempt to take away something I know you think you need to play with. I want to see those slumped shoulders as I neutralize everything I can think of to get you to walk off the court depressed.

I think grunting is great because I feel it gives me that extra "oomph" and helps me keep going.

Yeah right, I think you just like drawing attention to yourself.

Grunting is just as distracting as an injury to players. If you get something like a bruise during a match, it will effect you throughout the entire match most likely. It appears that many run into the same situation with grunting...

Pretty ridiculous comparing an injury to someone who likes to bellow loud obnoxius sounds during a point. An injury to a player is personal and does not affect or hinder the OTHER players performance. Someone like you who likes to yell and scream on every ball has an affect not only on yourself but everyone around you including your opponent. It is no longer personal.

It is funny how grunters always point to how the other player has to accept their attention seeking antics. But when the grunter is asked to "stick a sock in it", they all of a sudden start crying and can't hit a ball. You see them walking around with slumped shoulders as they look hopelessly disappointed as to how anyone would not like hearing them scream on every point.

Face it, if it was necessary to hit a ball hard and grunt loud, we would all be doing it. It is in your head and it is not necessary. Even boxers don't scream or grunt loudly when they punch their opponent.

It is a hinderance and it should be banned.

[Rafa's boy]

Point well taken, Bill. But I want to make clear that it is not to draw attention. I bet people could back me up on this. Maybe you are mistakening the grunting I am speaking of for "Shriek-a-pova", but the grunting I was speaking of is how Guga utilizes the grunt, and since I really did not look thoroughly enough through all the posts, I agree that is for rhythm also. This topic is a tough one to discuss but I think it is simple to decide between a "proper" grunt and a shriek, and I think a decimal reader would be a good choice if you really want to get technical about it.

[Rafa's boy]

I never knew there were players who relied on grunting :confused: I sure don't. I only start grunting for the reasons I stated, and I could still play my game without it. This is totally blown out of proportion it seems. A grunt effecting how your opponent plays, BS! Have you watched fans taunt baseball or basketball players?

[Bungalo Bill]

Maybe you are mistakening the grunting I am speaking of for "Shriek-a-pova", but the grunting I was speaking of is how Guga utilizes the grunt...

Ok, if it is like Guga, I have no problem with that. I already mentioned that above. His "loudness" is very reasonable and based on what Joe said above I would use it to also improve my timing and rythm.

But we must keep in mind the trouble that could be coming. What constitutes a grunt being too loud? How do we measure that? Do we need some sort of decibel meter out on the court?

Unfortunately, I think the women are going to cause a lot of problems in this area. Once the USTA and other governing tennis organizations tighten up the rules on this, will it affect the Guga's of the world? Where do you draw the line on what is loud and what is not loud?

You can bet the MacEnroe type players will challenge the rule and make the chair umpire live up to the tightened rules if their opponent grunts even softly. I mean I would if money was on the line.

Certainly, on the women's side it is out of control. I mean it really is. I can honestly tell you it is nerve racking as a spectator hearing someone like Sharapove scream so loud on every shot. It really unnerves me and I am just watching! Shara-screama-pova and the Williams Screamers have in my opinion stepped over the line.

I mean the sport of boxing, golf, baseball and other sports have no where near the screaming that takes place as we do in tennis. You can look at many sports and the physical exertion that takes place in each does not have the same screaming taking place.

[Rafa's boy]

Unfortunately, I think the women are going to cause a lot of problems in this area. Once the USTA and other governing tennis organizations tighten up the rules on this, will it affect the Guga's of the world? Where do you draw the line on what is loud and what is not loud?

Certainly, on the women's side it is out of control. I mean it really is. I can honestly tell you it is nerve racking as a spectator hearing someone like Sharapove scream so loud on every shot. It really unnerves me and I am just watching! Shara-screama-pova and the Williams Screamers have in my opinion stepped over the line.

I mean the sport of boxing, golf, baseball and other sports have no where near the screaming that takes place as we do in tennis. You can look at many sports and the physical exertion that takes place in each does not have the same screaming taking place.

I completely agree. It is definitely becoming more prevalent with women's players. It's kinda a scary thought seeing all these up-and-coming girls who idolize girls like Sharapova and the Williamses. I mean I'm starting to notice the revolution already.

Like you said, in other sports, including the women athletes of other sports, they don't need that extra physical exertion, and some of these girls in tennis are going completely overboard.

[Bungalo Bill]

I never knew there were players who relied on grunting :confused: I sure don't. I only start grunting for the reasons I stated, and I could still play my game without it. This is totally blown out of proportion it seems. A grunt effecting how your opponent plays, BS! Have you watched fans taunt baseball or basketball players?

But it does affect some players especially if it is loud. For those that are not bothered by screaming or loud sounds, great. But there are those that it does bother and in tennis, the rule in general states that you can not bother or "hinder" your opponent. If the crowd yells during a point that is different. It affects both players. But a player can not directly or indirectly hinder their opponent.

Until the rules change, I feel they need to be enforced fairly.

[Rafa's boy]

But it does affect some players especially if it is loud. For those that are not bothered by screaming or loud sounds, great. But there are those that it does bother and in tennis, the rule in general states that you can not bother or "hinder" your opponent. If the crowd yells during a point that is different. It affects both players. But a player can not directly or indirectly hinder their opponent.

Until the rules change, I feel they need to be enforced fairly.

Hmmm... that's a tricky point you bring up Bungalo Bill, and I agree. But the question is how does the sport define if a sound is loud enough to qualify as being bothersome?

[FedererUberAlles]

I'll do it if I can get into my opponent's head with it. It wouldn't be loud, but just audible, so it would really get on their nerves.

[Bungalo Bill]

I'll do it if I can get into my opponent's head with it. It wouldn't be loud, but just audible, so it would really get on their nerves.

So what you are saying is you are using sound to distract or hinder your opponent. How is that different from someone moving around abnormally trying to distract the server? I mean why is the moving around viewed as a hinderance but your noise making isn't?

[Bungalo Bill]

Hmmm... that's a tricky point you bring up Bungalo Bill, and I agree. But the question is how does the sport define if a sound is loud enough to qualify as being bothersome?

Yes, that is the topic. Maybe it will be up to the chair umpire. I dont know. One thing is for sure, if a player is doing it intentionally to distract their opponent, that is a rule violation. If the player kept doing it after being warned, they should award the match to the noise-makers opponent.

[papa]

Well, according to one local expert, my wife, I have an amazing ability to eliminate "everything else" else when it comes to tennis. However, grunting has got to go - the sooner the better for the sport. Its just become a habit for some players who seemingly could care less of its effect on either players on the same or adjacent courts.

I just don't understand the thinking of why one player seems to think they have the right to bother everyone else - to my way of thinking it would be like someone "having" to have their boom box blaring away because it gets "them" into the game - might be great for them but nobody else want to hear it.

I like BB's approach. If we would also just start calling "lets" when the grunter starts, the practice would end quickly.

[Skppr05]

one grunt becomes two grunts and two grunts becomes three. Soemtimes when i start it becomes a habit. I find it relieves the pressure in the lungs alot more.

[Mark S. Hogan]

So how many tried to go out and play without grunting? :)

[Shyyre]

i find that i do it unconsciously when i'm serving in a long match. but i also have some shoulder pain and it's the worst on the serve (not unbearable mind you) so there is a little woosh of exhalation.

[ironchef21]

Interesting grunting discussion. I don't grunt very often (at least I don't think so) and usually do it to remind myself to exhale on shots. I have never had anyone complain about my grunting. It certainly is not as loud as a lot of the pros.

I've never played someone whose grunting has been a distraction. Of course when I'm focused, little bothers me except executing my shot. When I'm not focused I notice everything from the leaves on the trees nearby to what I'm having for dinner to whether or not I left the iron on.

[Mark S. Hogan]

I really think it helps me hit through the ball and a more solid shot. I try not to be loud. I think both Seles and Sharapova have lost matches at Wimbledon when they tried to quiet it. Yet Sampras and Federer are arguably the best players ever and didn't grunt at all.

[tennismx]

is doing it to intimidate the other side wrong? as long as i dont do it while their hitting, while the balls on my side. i've seen it scare the shy kids

[GuyClinch]

A coach I had likes to say "ahh" when he swings. I think that works well. It's not very loud. I find it does help you hit through the ball more. It's good for me cause in a match I sometimes tend to freeze up and dink the ball.

I suppose they could make a rule against the very loud grunting but tennis is to much of "wimp" sport in the eyes of the public already. They shouldn't go overboard on that kind of stuff.

Pete

[tennismx]

i think the distraction of grunts just adds to the "mental" part of the game. just like u have to block out the crowd, u gotta block out ur opponents noise. that's how i deal with it, unless its completely ridiculous.
for example, i saw one girl play, and she screamed like an ambulance. woooooooooooo...........wooooooooooooooo.........w ooooooooooooooo.........
lol.

[papa]

I still like the idea of calling "lets" when it happens - that would quickly get "everyones" attention, at all levels, because it sure would slow things down.

I think that if there is a rule change in this area is will be just that - you'll have the right to call a let regardless of where you are.