Beaten to death but, why hasn't grunting been eliminated?

[wy2sl0]

To me, watching 5 minutes of the Masha match last night, there is no way in hell that should be allowed.
How am I, as an opponent, supposed to hear the spin and sound of the ball when you are shrieking like that? Concentrate?
She does not do it in practice therefore it is NOT a habit. It is clear intimidation and that is it.

Here is my poll: is there a LEGITIMATE reason to allow grunting?

 

[mbm0912]

Agree. Point penalties for hindrance should do the trick.

 

[Deleted member 740774]

Problem is that it is hard to enforce. Exhaling while hitting helps, and some people do it best by grunting. some people are louder than others. The shriek should be outlawed, but it's hard to differentiate between loud grunts/ shrieks and if it's intentional

 

[jm1980]

The shriek should be outlawed, but it's hard to differentiate between loud grunts/ shrieks and if it's intentional

Sound meter. Once your shrieking goes past a certain amount of decibels, you get a warning. If you continue, you get a point penalty.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Problem is that it is hard to enforce. Exhaling while hitting helps, and some people do it best by grunting. some people are louder than others. The shriek should be outlawed, but it's hard to differentiate between loud grunts/ shrieks and if it's intentional

Make her squat with as much weight as she could lift (barely) for two repetitions.

If she screams on the first and then on the second one, let her do it.

If not kick her out of the tour.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Sound meter. Once your shrieking goes past a certain amount of decibels, you get a warning. If you continue, you get a point penalty.

I agree. I believe Seles started all this. I refuse to watch women's tennis because of the grunting. Nadal's grunting is also very annoying to me.

 

[tennisaddict]

Sound meter. Once your shrieking goes past a certain amount of decibels, you get a warning. If you continue, you get a point penalty.

Exactly. Sharapova and Azarenka are worst offenders. They have made Serena an angel and any future matches, I wouldnt wait a second to root for Serena, even though i am not a fan of her.

I wish Sharapova and Azarenka would just go away.

 

[Red Rick]

Question, has it ever happened that other players from other courts complained about excessive shrieking from a player. I can't imagine that the sound is restricted to just one court when Sharapova produces sound with the power of a fighter jet.

 

[jm1980]

Exactly. Sharapova and Azarenka are worst offenders. They have made Serena an angel and any future matches, I wouldnt wait a second to root for Serena, even though i am not a fan of her.

I wish Sharapova and Azarenka would just go away.

I don't like Serena at all but I'll always root for her over Sharapova. I'm more 50/50 when she plays Azarenka because her grunting is less annoying and she does it in practice too. Sharapova's grunting is pure gamesmanship. And it gets specially ridiculous when the match is close.

 

[Tuskarr]

I was watching one of her recent matches and her scream was still going on when the ball bounced on the other side of the court. I thought for sure that should have been called as a hindrance.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I was watching one of her recent matches and her scream was still going on when the ball bounced on the other side of the court. I thought for sure that should have been called as a hindrance.

It is the same problem as with Nadal's time wasting.

Too big of a star to get punished consistently.

I wonder, if the heads of ATP and ITF realize how much power they have.

If they decide it, they can enoforce the rules in the course of one match and noone would blip.

 

[dgold44]

I quit watching women's tennis a good 20 yrs ago: it is utterly obnoxious and beyond distracting

 

[Mr.Lob]

Sound meter. Once your shrieking goes past a certain amount of decibels, you get a warning. If you continue, you get a point penalty.

Shock collars on all players. The kind they use on barking dogs.

 

[mistik]

It is the same problem as with Nadal's time wasting.

Too big of a star to get punished consistently.

I wonder, if the heads of ATP and ITF realize how much power they have.

If they decide it, they can enofrce the rules in the course of one match and noone would blip.

Since there is no Graf type of player there is no need to enforce this rule.

 

[cknobman]

I voted no because I dont want to do anything to the OP much less "grunt" him

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Since there is no Graf type of player there is no need to enforce this rule.

I say that we are in dire need to enforce both those rules.

The people have voted!

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I don't like Serena at all but I'll always root for her over Sharapova. I'm more 50/50 when she plays Azarenka because her grunting is less annoying and she does it in practice too. Sharapova's grunting is pure gamesmanship. And it gets specially ridiculous when the match is close.

Did Pova wail like this when she first appeared on tour? I tuned her out years ago, but I don't specifically remember her screeching in the early days. I could be wrong, but it's why I ask. If it's something she tried on a lark, and it just evolved into the eardrum-shattering shriek that it is today, why doesn't she try to branch out into animal noises?

 

[wy2sl0]

2004 wimbledon, win over Serena for her Wimbledon title. No loud noise.

 

[jm1980]

Did Pova wail like this when she first appeared on tour? I tuned her out years ago, but I don't specifically remember her screeching in the early days. I could be wrong, but it's why I ask. If it's something she tried on a lark, and it just evolved into the eardrum-shattering shriek that it is today, why doesn't she try to branch out into animal noises?

It has evolved over the years

2004 Wimbledon: mild moaning

2007 WTA YEC: occasional scream

2010 French Open: banshee wail on every shot

 

[Deleted member 743561]

It has evolved over the years

2004 Wimbledon: mild moaning

2007 WTA YEC: occasional scream

2010 French Open: banshee wail on every shot

She may have peaked as a player, but surely she can crank up the auditory blast by several notches.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

2004 wimbledon, win over Serena for her Wimbledon title. No loud noise.

Exactly.

The sounds she was making then are her normal pitch.

Unlike these days.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

2004 wimbledon, win over Serena for her Wimbledon title. No loud noise.

Bit of a muted squeal. I guess an early coach or advisor convinced her to really crank it up.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Problem is that it is hard to enforce. Exhaling while hitting helps, and some people do it best by grunting. some people are louder than others. The shriek should be outlawed, but it's hard to differentiate between loud grunts/ shrieks and if it's intentional

How about just use common sense? If it's unbearable, call it.

 

[chrisingrassia]

To me, watching 5 minutes of the Masha match last night, there is no way in hell that should be allowed.
How am I, as an opponent, supposed to hear the spin and sound of the ball when you are shrieking like that? Concentrate?
She does not do it in practice therefore it is NOT a habit. It is clear intimidation and that is it.

Here is my poll: is there a LEGITIMATE reason to allow grunting?

Ma-Sha isn't nearly as bad as Azarenka. No it should not be allowed, but I don't think an umpire really needs to stand up against it. All it takes is an opponent just in the first point to call a hindrance. That's all it takes, but no player ever does it. Fear of retribution I guess. Vika evendoes it on slices and drop shots.....give me a break.

 

[Tenez!]

It has evolved over the years

2004 Wimbledon: mild moaning

2007 WTA YEC: occasional scream

2010 French Open: banshee wail on every shot

That would make a nice narrative but infortunately I think the highlights are to blame : check out the last game at Wimby 04 (around 10'15) : already screeching like a vixen.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

2004 wimbledon, win over Serena for her Wimbledon title. No loud noise.

She's honestly appealing as **** in that video.

The shrieking is a real turn off.

 

[jm1980]

That would make a nice narrative but infortunately I think the highlights are to blame : check out the last game at Wimby 04 (around 10'15) : already screeching like a vixen.

Serena kind of does this today (loud screaming in high pressure situations), which is sort of understandable.
With Sharapova the screeching clearly got louder and was employed more and more often as the years went on.

It's gone from midly amusing to annoying to completely unbearable.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

It has evolved over the years

2004 Wimbledon: mild moaning

 

[RetroSpin]

Is Azarenka working here as a mod on the side? The thread I started complaining about her obnoxious shrieking seems to have vanished.

 

[scotus]

To me, watching 5 minutes of the Masha match last night, there is no way in hell that should be allowed.
How am I, as an opponent, supposed to hear the spin and sound of the ball when you are shrieking like that? Concentrate?
She does not do it in practice therefore it is NOT a habit. It is clear intimidation and that is it.

Here is my poll: is there a LEGITIMATE reason to allow grunting?

Sharapova: "Nobody important enough has told me to stop."

Azarenka: "It's irrelevant. Let's talk about the game."

 

[The Green Mile]

Question, has it ever happened that other players from other courts complained about excessive shrieking from a player. I can't imagine that the sound is restricted to just one court when Sharapova produces sound with the power of a fighter jet.

Supposedly, Kyrgios was complaining about Azarenka's shrieks in one of his matches last year at Wimbledon. Think it was against Schwartzman.

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

Supposedly, Kyrgios was complaining about Azarenka's shrieks in one of his matches last year at Wimbledon. Think it was against Schwartzman.

Kyrgios was complaining when he always do the same,in last match with Berdych was clear he was doing on purpose to distract Berdych .

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

Double post

 

[4-string]

Annoying yes, but personally I have more of an issue with the excessive toweling off between points.

Fresh example - saw Sam Groth the other day. He served, rushed to the net, and ended the first point of his service game with a volley. Then, immediately turned and signaled to the ball boy that he wanted his towel. I'm sure it's hot, but 3 seconds of action, and you need toweling. THAT should be banned!

 

[RetroSpin]

I feel sorry for the ball kids. They have to handle sweat-soaked towels. It's a bit unfair and demeaning.

If the players require constant toweling, let them tuck a small towel in their shorts. Otherwise, play on.

 

[AceSalvo]

Annoying yes, but personally I have more of an issue with the excessive toweling off between points.

Fresh example - saw Sam Groth the other day. He served, rushed to the net, and ended the first point of his service game with a volley. Then, immediately turned and signaled to the ball boy that he wanted his towel. I'm sure it's hot, but 3 seconds of action, and you need toweling. THAT should be banned!

Headband?? Wristband?? so many options..

guys are cleaning up themselves from head to toe after every point.. disgusting to watch...

 

[Terenigma]

It should be eliminated from the game. Its ridiculous and when you see them do it when they hit a drop shot you're just like, really? Are you for real?

I think it should be 100% punished everytime anyone does it, you dont NEED to exert such a ridiculously loud shriek. You breath out and sometimes it comes out as a sort grunt when you're tired or you hit a tough shot but it is NOT everytime you hit a shot and Vika or Maria trying to defend it are just deluding themselfs. It should be banned. Its no fun for the crowd, the people watching on tv and its horrible to your oppenent. Noone should have to listen to it.

Give them all sound reducing masks to wear as they play or just gag them all.

 

[xan]

No no, i dont agree. Let them scream and shriek all they want. The more the better.
That way i'll always have an excuse not to watch the circus that is wta.

 

[Fiero425]

Annoying yes, but personally I have more of an issue with the excessive toweling off between points.

Fresh example - saw Sam Groth the other day. He served, rushed to the net, and ended the first point of his service game with a volley. Then, immediately turned and signaled to the ball boy that he wanted his towel. I'm sure it's hot, but 3 seconds of action, and you need toweling. THAT should be banned!

I think the first time this became a problem was about 30+ years ago; Lendl vs Jose Luis Clerc! They were playing a clay WCT event and even after a service ace they went to the towel! It got steadily worse after that! People didn't even use wrist bands around that time, but you would think a spring shower occurred with the incessant toweling off today! ;-)

 

[RetroSpin]

Here's what I don't get. If you're a profession athlete, a good part of your earning power is the size of your fanbase. Why would you ever want to do anything to alienate a significant percentage of potential fans?

I suppose the answer is that winning trumps everything else. How else could the most obnoxious, repulsive player in the history of tennis, John MacEnroe, still be on TV every major?

 

[MasturB]

Radwanska grunts actually sounds like sex moans. Makes me laugh. lol

 

[4-string]

Radwanska grunts actually sounds like sex moans. Makes me laugh. lol

I wonder if Sharapova's shrieks bring back any good memories for Grigor.

 

[California]

I wonder if Sharapova's shrieks bring back any good memories for Grigor.

Or maybe bad ones? Who would want to listen to that...?

 

[fuzz nation]

No no, i dont agree. Let them scream and shriek all they want. The more the better.
That way i'll always have an excuse not to watch the circus that is wta.

Sad to say that I more or less agree here. WTA, ITF, and other powers that be have let this thing go way beyond out of hand. I'm just waiting for the screamers to go away. Too much of a one-dimensional game played by too many of the ladies, but on top of that, the noise is truly hideous!!

 

[fuzz nation]

It is clear intimidation and that is it.

Here is my poll: is there a LEGITIMATE reason to allow grunting?

You're right - clearly intimidation and nothing else.

Nothing beyond a brief grunt at contact is reasonable. I believe officials should penalize it when noise is being made by a player while the ball is on the opponent's side of the net. That's an easy call - no SPL meters, etc. necessary. Sharapova has deliberately been extending her howl all the way to her opponent's shot since maybe the beginning of last year - maybe even a little further back than that. I'm disgusted with it, but I wouldn't be surprised if a pushback happens soon. Players seem to be commenting on it more and more at least away from the courts.

 

[SpinToWin]

She's honestly appealing as **** in that video.

The shrieking is a real turn off.

Are we watching the same video? I find Sharapova completely fine in the 04 Final.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Are we watching the same video? I find Sharapova completely fine in the 04 Final.

LOL I meant visually appealing, helped by the fact that she wasn't shrieking (which is a turn off).

Sorry if the wording wasn't clear.

 

[SpinToWin]

LOL I meant visually appealing, helped by the fact that she wasn't shrieking (which is a turn off).

Sorry if the wording wasn't clear.

LOOOOOOOOL

I read appalling instead of appealing, LMFAO I'm illiterate, just ignore it

 

[Charlemagne]

No clue man. It's ridiculous

 

[Cenarius]

Larcher De Brito is also very annoying.