Moaning and Grunting

[tennisboi206]

why do pro players moan and grunt when playin tennis does it make them play better?

[Duzza]

It's because they're putting that much effort into the shot. If you try you're absolute hardest you're likely to grunt.

[ubel]

Originally Posted by Duzza

It's because they're putting that much effort into the shot. If you try you're absolute hardest you're likely to grunt.

They may be putting a lot of effort into the shot, but it's kind of stupid when it gets so loud that it's affecting the other player's performance. There's a point when you're at an "acceptable grunt/moan level" (as if any is acceptable, it's ludicrous) and when you're just too damn loud and it becomes a matter of gamesmanship. You can make the assertion that they're putting that much effort into the shot or hitting their hardest.. but when you see Federer hitting forehand and backhand winners with unbelievable pace while barely breaking 20 decibels, something in your mind has got to tell you the other players might be exaggerating with their sounds a bit (well, except Hewitt, he just sounds funny).

I could understand if this were world's strongest man, but frankly it's not. It's a controllable response that would barely affect how they play.

[Duzza]

Well i know sharapova grew up being taught to grunt loudly to win.

[andyroddick's mojo]

the point of the grunt is the exhalation of breath. this causes the muscles in the body to relax more, so while you're swinging in a tight rally, since your muscles get right, the exhaling will relax your muscles, allowing for a more fluid swinging motion with less tension.

[Osteo UK]

Originally Posted by andyroddick's mojo

the point of the grunt is the exhalation of breath. this causes the muscles in the body to relax more, so while you're swinging in a tight rally, since your muscles get right, the exhaling will relax your muscles, allowing for a more fluid swinging motion with less tension.

Makes sense - think of doing bench press and you tend to breathe out with your contraction.

I've also heard of some using the grunt as a "mental focus point" - trying to co-ordinate the grunt with contact etc.

I don't play that many who grunt, but when I do, I try and use it to help. When they grunt is when they (usually) contact and the type of grunt can give you an idea of the effort/shot/even mental status of the grunter.

If someone grunts against you, try and make some use of it rather than letting it bother you.

[Janne]

Lately I´ve noticed that I´ve begun moaning/grunting just a little bit when I´m hitting my hardest, but not loud enough that it would bother the opponent, if they can even hear me grunt/moan.

I think that the kind of moaning/grunting Nadal and Roddick to is okay, but Sharapova and Venus and/or Serena cross the line.

PS: 100 Posts, now I´m a rookie. In your face "new users".

[Osteo UK]

Originally Posted by Janne

PS: 100 Posts, now I´m a rookie. In your face "new users".

I'll 'ave you soon me old sunshine.

[Return_Ace]

Originally Posted by osteo

Makes sense - think of doing bench press and you tend to breathe out with your contraction.

don't you use both sets of muscles for a bench press? so you should breathe out all the time

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by tennisboi206

why do pro players moan and grunt when playin tennis does it make them play better?

Some players do it, some dont. Some players have a rythmic moan, some don't. My take is it is simply something that isn't necessary to play better. It is something that a player simply likes to do. They get used to it and then think they can't play unless they can grunt. Just as a player can train themselves to like doing it, they can untrain themselves as well. There are other less obnoxious ways to let out air.

Screamapova is an example of being ridiculous.

[TennsDog]

First I'm going to say I don't understand the problem people have with grunting, especially spectators. If you don't like it, don't watch. I personally don't even notice when players grunt (not even Sharapova) until someone else watching mentions is. I don't grunt on most shots (unless I'm on the run or whatever), but I do on almost every serve, no matter how hard it is or how much effort I put forth. It is not a conscious effort, and it never was. It just happens. It would take a lot of effort and concentration for me to stop making a sound when I serve, which would impare my play. I don't think most players do make sounds intentionally. They once said during a Sharapova match that she doesn't grunt in practice (at least not like that), but that it is pretty much the adrenaline and mental state of a competative situation that causes her to make the sound, ergo unintentional.

[darkaug]

u might get hernia if u dont release the pressure in your body when you whack some hard balls

[GeauxTigers]

Because when i get tight or tired, I don't and my shots suck.
It's helps me stay loose and keep good racquet head speed.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by TennsDog

First I'm going to say I don't understand the problem people have with grunting, especially spectators. If you don't like it, don't watch. I personally don't even notice when players grunt (not even Sharapova) until someone else watching mentions is. I don't grunt on most shots (unless I'm on the run or whatever), but I do on almost every serve, no matter how hard it is or how much effort I put forth. It is not a conscious effort, and it never was. It just happens. It would take a lot of effort and concentration for me to stop making a sound when I serve, which would impare my play. I don't think most players do make sounds intentionally. They once said during a Sharapova match that she doesn't grunt in practice (at least not like that), but that it is pretty much the adrenaline and mental state of a competative situation that causes her to make the sound, ergo unintentional.

Nice try but the reality is people are allowed to watch a match and play a match whether someone is screaming in it or not. Players have a right to also have anothers screaming not hinder their play as well.

The bottom-line is players can take their screaming to an extreme. It doesnt just happen, it is allowed and for those that do scream - it is being tolerated. I will never agree that someone needs to scream on every shot to play well. Nor will I agree that it is necessary.

You can think whatever you want, and I the same. I support those pursuing to eliminate it - period.

[TennsDog]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

Nice try but the reality is people are allowed to watch a match and play a match whether someone is screaming in it or not. Players have a right to also have anothers screaming not hinder their play as well.

The bottom-line is players can take their screaming to an extreme. It doesnt just happen, it is allowed and for those that do scream - it is being tolerated. I will never agree that someone needs to scream on every shot to play well. Nor will I agree that it is necessary.

You can think whatever you want, and I the same. I support those pursuing to eliminate it - period.

I'm not arguing that some people do it intentionally or that it can get excessive. I'm just saying there are a lot of people like myself who do make sounds but do not do it intentionally. Are you in favor of banning all sound on court or just the outrageous stuff? If it is just the loud ones, then I think it would be too subjective and could lead to a bit of gamesmanship.

[Marat Safinator]

As peter fleming has said, your natural breathign technique does not make you let out loud noises such as nadal, gonzalez, coria, williams sisters, sharapova, schiavone etc. i think its completely terrible.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by TennsDog

I'm not arguing that some people do it intentionally or that it can get excessive. I'm just saying there are a lot of people like myself who do make sounds but do not do it intentionally. Are you in favor of banning all sound on court or just the outrageous stuff? If it is just the loud ones, then I think it would be too subjective and could lead to a bit of gamesmanship.

Well there lies the issue and you have a very intelligent truth seeking response. Not like some others that refuse to see anything.

So, what is outrageous and how does one measure that? I think this is the core and the root to solve the problem. For me, it is the screaming I am not in favor of which is the outrageous stuff to me.

The groaning, moaning or rythmic tones that come out of some players doesn't bother me and I can get used to that. But the screaming and the ringing in my ears from the high pitches belted off the volcal cords is not something I can get used to and is a hinderance to my play.

Plus, we mostly play with other players in adjacent courts, and although I would like to think we all play in bubbles, the reality is it is a huge distraction for others trying to concentrate in their game and match.

So the question is where is the line drawn? Ithink there needs to be one even if it is to elmiinate it. When is it okay and when does it become a hinderance? When do we abide by the rules?

[AngeloDS]

It's good to hear people grunting. You know they're usually working harder, so I have pleasure in moving them all around the court letting them exhaust themselves.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by AngeloDS

It's good to hear people grunting. You know they're usually working harder, so I have pleasure in moving them all around the court letting them exhaust themselves.

But others dont like it, what about them? What do the rules say? Why are the rles being ignored? Are they being ignored?

[TennsDog]

While I don't see any easy or acceptable solution for the general public, it would be possible for the pro tour to implement a sound measuring device and to give players warnings for going above a certain decibel level just as taking too long between points.