Grunting...

MasturB

Legend
Hate to beat a dead horse here.

I understand the women grunt because it's the result of an exertion of more energy to hit "harder".

My question is, I've seen Sharapova, Vika, and even Serena stop their grunt on a ball hit into the net.

It's likely even when they hit the ball into the net, they're swinging just as hard as when they hit the ball in, with the exception of a different swing path causing the ball to go in the net.

Why is it they can stop their grunt in mid action when they see the ball hit the net, but when the ball is traveling to their opponents side, they choose to elongate the grunt?
 

ledwix

Hall of Fame
Because grunting is 80%+ intimidation factor and just a conscious decision to be obnoxious and make one's actions seem more significant than they are. When I do weights, I can "grunt" a little if I want, or I can just breathe heavily and release air without my vocal chords vibrating at all. Both methods allow me to lift the exact same amount of weight. Generally I just choose to breathe heavily, while other guys sound like they are dying next to me at 100 dB.
 

KineticChain

Hall of Fame
grunting is okay... it is/can be an involuntary vocal response due to physical exertion. What sharapova/serena/azerenka/ect. does is a learned timing and/or intimidation technique that has no place in tennis or any other sport. I love watching tennis.. but I have to change channels whenever those screaming banshees are on
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
Can't stand watching the banshees.

Strangely, don't mind Nadal/Djokovic/Murray when they grunt though.

Must be because they're higher pitched (the women that is, if that needed clarification).
 

jg153040

G.O.A.T.
grunting is okay... it is/can be an involuntary vocal response due to physical exertion. What sharapova/serena/azerenka/ect. does is a learned timing and/or intimidation technique that has no place in tennis or any other sport. I love watching tennis.. but I have to change channels whenever those screaming banshees are on

I don't think its to intimidate. Part of it is vocal response, you you've said.
But part of it is just for confidence.

Like saying more to yourself :Come on, Let's do it. I'm the man.
It's not for the opponent.

That is from my personal experience.
 

ShoeShiner

Rookie
I hate loud noise grunters and long-beat noise grunters. :mad:
16diana.jpg
 

Lukhas

Legend
Dunno, S. Williams doesn't grunt except when she's doing an hard effort or that the match lasts quite a bit. However Sharapova or Azarenka grunting for no reason whatsoever, no thanks.
 

Mike Bulgakov

G.O.A.T.
Maria Sharapova use to grunt (scream) at impact, with the duration rarely lasting beyond the ball crossing the net. At some point this year, she began using a delayed scream, which starts shortly before the ball crosses the net and often lasts past the point of the ball landing on her opponent's side of the court.

This strikes me as an affectation and calculated move. Against Zheng Jie, she did this for most of the match, but when the match got tight, she returned to her old grunting upon impact.

Sharapova and Azarenka are often screaming when the ball lands in their opponent's side of the court. I do not see why this is not ruled a hindrance.
 

Gandalf

Rookie
Why is it they can stop their grunt in mid action when they see the ball hit the net, but when the ball is traveling to their opponents side, they choose to elongate the grunt?

It's like sex, MasturB. Woman or man, you don't have to yell or grunt at youknowhich moment, but you do.
 

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
I do not see why this is not ruled a hindrance.
Because the WTA has zero leadership. Kicking the can down the road and saying you'll fix it with the next generation is pathetic. And I'll bet if they have a few big stars in 2020 who do it, they'll get away with it.

The 'physical exertion' excuse above is bogus. Have watched Shrieker at the practice courts at IW - not a sound.

And the Williams sisters used to grunt - even on droppers. Strange that they quit.
 

dafinch

Banned
Because the WTA has zero leadership. Kicking the can down the road and saying you'll fix it with the next generation is pathetic. And I'll bet if they have a few big stars in 2020 who do it, they'll get away with it.

The 'physical exertion' excuse above is bogus. Have watched Shrieker at the practice courts at IW - not a sound.

And the Williams sisters used to grunt - even on droppers. Strange that they quit.

Well, I thought the WTA said several months ago they were quashing grunting in the lower ranks, claiming it was too late to stop it in the professional ranks. I agree with Hall of Famers Martina N. and John Newcombe, who stated they think it's a conscious attempt at cheating, muffling the sound of the shrieker's shot, which can be useful information to the receiver.
 

dafinch

Banned

If the WTA is starting to stop it amongst the next generation of players(not to mention a fair number of fans saying they won't even watch the WTA because of the shrieking), then I guess it ISN'T beating a dead horse, is it?
 
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Because the WTA has zero leadership. Kicking the can down the road and saying you'll fix it with the next generation is pathetic. And I'll bet if they have a few big stars in 2020 who do it, they'll get away with it.

The 'physical exertion' excuse above is bogus. Have watched Shrieker at the practice courts at IW - not a sound.

And the Williams sisters used to grunt - even on droppers. Strange that they quit.

Yep did u see their doubles in the early days, it was awfull!! They even grunted on droppers indeed, hilarious almost....
But they managed to keep it to down for quite a long time now, which is evidence that it's possible.....
 

BuggyDub

New User
Maria Sharapova use to grunt (scream) at impact, with the duration rarely lasting beyond the ball crossing the net. At some point this year, she began using a delayed scream, which starts shortly before the ball crosses the net and often lasts past the point of the ball landing on her opponent's side of the court.

This strikes me as an affectation and calculated move. Against Zheng Jie, she did this for most of the match, but when the match got tight, she returned to her old grunting upon impact.

Sharapova and Azarenka are often screaming when the ball lands in their opponent's side of the court. I do not see why this is not ruled a hindrance.

I noticed this as well. Curious she can't work on stopping it, but can change it up to a delayed scream.
 

volleygirl

Rookie
Well, I thought the WTA said several months ago they were quashing grunting in the lower ranks, claiming it was too late to stop it in the professional ranks. I agree with Hall of Famers Martina N. and John Newcombe, who stated they think it's a conscious attempt at cheating, muffling the sound of the shrieker's shot, which can be useful information to the receiver.



Agree totally. I wish the rest of the WTA would walk off the court during matches with Azarenka or Sharapova to force the WTA leadership to finally do something.
 

MasturB

Legend
Maria Sharapova use to grunt (scream) at impact, with the duration rarely lasting beyond the ball crossing the net. At some point this year, she began using a delayed scream, which starts shortly before the ball crosses the net and often lasts past the point of the ball landing on her opponent's side of the court.

This strikes me as an affectation and calculated move. Against Zheng Jie, she did this for most of the match, but when the match got tight, she returned to her old grunting upon impact.

Sharapova and Azarenka are often screaming when the ball lands in their opponent's side of the court. I do not see why this is not ruled a hindrance.

Exactly my point.

I've seen them shriek on their slices.

Federer grunts when he has to use more energy than usual to strike a ball (Try to get pace on a very high backhand) or his second serve that he tries to impart a lot of spin with heavy racket speed.

Djokovic doesn't grunt when he slices nor does Nadal. Nadal seems to usually just grunt the most on his forehand.

But watching Sharapova's matches this weekend and Azarenka, they'll shriek when they hit the ball and it lands in play on the other side, but if they swing just as hard and hit it into the net, their shriek just STOPS in mid flight.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
It is ridiculous to start the "grunt" when you've completed the stroke and the ball is nearly on your opponent's racket.

For some player's it is legit though, and I think tennis player's often know when they've mishit a ball even slightly. So as the ball is travelling inexorably toward the net the player has already shut down for that point, no grunting.
 

prairiegirl

Hall of Fame
grunting is okay... it is/can be an involuntary vocal response due to physical exertion. What sharapova/serena/azerenka/ect. does is a learned timing and/or intimidation technique that has no place in tennis or any other sport. I love watching tennis.. but I have to change channels whenever those screaming banshees are on
Could not be said any better!
 

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
I understand the women grunt because it's the result of an exertion of more energy to hit "harder".

If true, then why didn't past women's champions grunt? They hit the ball as hard as they could with their wood or graphite rackets. King, Evert, Martina, Graf--- none of them grunted.

Also, no male player grunted in the past either, except on serves. There's was no one in the 70's, 80's or 90's who grunted like Nadal.
 

Tennease

Legend
SABALENKA: full range of grunting repertoire: combination of squealing boar, Sharapova, Venus, Serena, Azarenka, Muguruza, Nadalova.

Unbearable. Unwatchable. Unlistenable.
Glad Sabalenka is out. One less shrieker in AO.
 
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Purplemonster

Hall of Fame
Exactly my point.

I've seen them shriek on their slices.

Federer grunts when he has to use more energy than usual to strike a ball (Try to get pace on a very high backhand) or his second serve that he tries to impart a lot of spin with heavy racket speed.

Djokovic doesn't grunt when he slices nor does Nadal. Nadal seems to usually just grunt the most on his forehand.

But watching Sharapova's matches this weekend and Azarenka, they'll shriek when they hit the ball and it lands in play on the other side, but if they swing just as hard and hit it into the net, their shriek just STOPS in mid flight.

As women generally don't know how to slice the physical exertion on that shot can be quite hard.
 

PrinceMoron

Legend
Had WO Centre Court tickets many times when Sharapova was playing, and always stayed well away on the outside courts

Vote with your feet
 

swordtennis

G.O.A.T.
Well sharapova is not really a grunt. Its more of an open mouth scream. My mom and step dad ordered me to turn the tv off during the us open last year when the women play who scream.
 
S

santiago_rios

Guest
WTA unwatchable cause of this screaming.

Good to see others have noticed the delayed scream, it is total gamesmanship 100%

I notice even some of the men are doing it, this exertion noise that seems to start AFTER the ball has left the strings, I saw Tiafoe doing it last night, it is not super loud noise, but it is the timing of it. I actually wondered if the audio and picture were not together for a minute. 100% that should stop, to be making a noise when the other player is focusing to play their shot and the ball is coming close, is not other word for it than cheating.
 

MasturB

Legend
If true, then why didn't past women's champions grunt? They hit the ball as hard as they could with their wood or graphite rackets. King, Evert, Martina, Graf--- none of them grunted.

Also, no male player grunted in the past either, except on serves. There's was no one in the 70's, 80's or 90's who grunted like Nadal.

Being able to maneuver a heavy racquet is not the same as swinging as hard as you can with a light racquet.
 

Tennease

Legend
Here's hoping another obnoxious Spanish grunter to leave the sacred ground of Australia Open. C'MON HSIEH !!!!!! You can do it!!
 

Slightly D1

Professional
I don’t mind grunting but there is a difference between a natural physical grunt and an excessive scream. It shouldn’t be penalized at the higher levels but for youth tennis there needs to be a rule against it so that the players get used to playing without it as they develop.
 

Tennease

Legend
Here's hoping another obnoxious Spanish grunter to leave the sacred ground of Australia Open. C'MON HSIEH !!!!!! You can do it!!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!
HAO!

GTH you grunterrrrrs and shriekerrrrs! They all are cheaters and deserve to get out of AO.
 

Tennease

Legend
Another loud grunter bites the dust in AO 18! Karma is sweet. Nadal wore himself down with all that grunting. Did he retire after contracting Cilicitis?

Buhbye grunterrrrrrs!!!!!!!!
 
D

Deleted member 688153

Guest
Can't stand watching the banshees.

Strangely, don't mind Nadal/Djokovic/Murray when they grunt though.

Must be because they're higher pitched (the women that is, if that needed clarification).
Indeed, it's the pitch that makes the difference.
Nadal is fine. Pova is near-unwatchable with volume on.
 
D

Deleted member 688153

Guest
Nadal is horrible as well.

Nobody was grunting in male tennis in the 90s.

Then came the argentinian / spanish clay grinder moonballer grunters
I mean Nadal could be doing it unnecessarily as well, sure. It sure sounds like it some of the time.
I just don't personally find it that annoying. I expect it when I watch his matches.
Obviously others' mileage may vary on that.
 

Fabresque

Legend
When I ask others why they grunt loudly they first tell me to shut the **** up. Then they tell me that it helps them hit shots better and helps them finish their strokes. A lot of guys who used to grunt say they just exhale a lot to replace their habit, and it helps them. Others may grunt just to **** their opponents off
 

captainbryce

Hall of Fame
Hate to beat a dead horse here.

I understand the women grunt because it's the result of an exertion of more energy to hit "harder".

My question is, I've seen Sharapova, Vika, and even Serena stop their grunt on a ball hit into the net.

It's likely even when they hit the ball into the net, they're swinging just as hard as when they hit the ball in, with the exception of a different swing path causing the ball to go in the net.

Why is it they can stop their grunt in mid action when they see the ball hit the net, but when the ball is traveling to their opponents side, they choose to elongate the grunt?
Serena doesn’t always grunt. Sometimes she goes through entire stretches of a match without grunting. It seems almost subconscious with her, like she forgets to grunt, or doesn’t remember to turn it back off. On some occasions (when she makes an unforced error), her grunt turns into more of an elongated scream. But I haven’t heard her stop it in the middle of a shot.

I have heard Vika do that on numerous occasions, but she has a much longer grunt than most other grunting players anyway. Can’t recall specific instances about Sharapova (but I try to avoid watching her now since I’m not a fan). But I suspect for the latter two, that in addition to the grunt being used on impact, it’s also a “follow through” reaction. A ball that feels short (into the net), or long off the racket wouldn’t necessitate a proper follow through, because you know you’ve already lost the point.
 
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