Radwanska: Screamers Shut Up!

jackson vile

G.O.A.T.
You have my support for sure, really ruins the sport. Don't get me wrong, you make some noises I get that. However, screaming at the top of your lungs each and every strike even if you are only barely hitting the ball?
 

ttbrowne

Hall of Fame
I'll go with a player being able to shriek until the ball crosses the net into the opponents court. That would almost force the shriekers to stop altogether.
 

jones101

Hall of Fame
Radwanska:

To be honest, I'm kind of used to it, especially with Vika," the Pole said. "We've known each other for many years.

"About Maria, what can I say? For sure that is pretty annoying and it's just too loud. Of course everybody can make some noise. This is tennis. It's really hard work over there. I don't think it's very necessary to scream that loud.

"I don't think this is very nice to watch, those kind of players that scream so much all the time. So that's why I think the WTA wants to change something. If they want to do something, why not?"

Sharapova's response:

"Isn't she back in Poland already?" Sharapova asked when told about Radwanska's opinion. "When did she get a chance to say that?"

And, as if that wasn't put-down enough, Sharapova quickly added:

"I've been the same over the course of my career. No one important enough has told me to change or do something different."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/maria-takes-shrieking-grunted-100006190.html




Yikes, the felines are sharpening their claws.

catfight.jpg


I agree with Radwanksa though.

This match is a prime example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jsLFLILqFRQ

Skip to the point at 50 seconds. Sharapova sounds like she is about to go supersonic at some points lol.
 
Last edited:

willshot

Semi-Pro
Radwanska:

To be honest, I'm kind of used to it, especially with Vika," the Pole said. "We've known each other for many years.

"About Maria, what can I say? For sure that is pretty annoying and it's just too loud. Of course everybody can make some noise. This is tennis. It's really hard work over there. I don't think it's very necessary to scream that loud.

"I don't think this is very nice to watch, those kind of players that scream so much all the time. So that's why I think the WTA wants to change something. If they want to do something, why not?"

Sharapova's response:

"Isn't she back in Poland already?" Sharapova asked when told about Radwanska's opinion. "When did she get a chance to say that?"

And, as if that wasn't put-down enough, Sharapova quickly added:

"I've been the same over the course of my career. No one important enough has told me to change or do something different."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/maria-takes-shrieking-grunted-100006190.html




Yikes, the felines are sharpening their claws.

catfight.jpg


I agree with Radwanksa though.

This match is a prime example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jsLFLILqFRQ

Skip to the point at 50 seconds. Sharapova sounds like she is about to go supersonic at some points lol.



Navratilova has made comments that the screaming is not fair tennis.
 

MixieP

Hall of Fame
If you don't like the shriekers, stop watching their matches, stop buying the products they endorse. That's how you put a sock in it.
 

Don Felder

Semi-Pro
Shriekapova will be back in wherever the hell it is she lives with her 3rd-rate NBA player greaseball husband soon enough.

Haven't seen much or know much about Radwanska, but I saw a few snippets of her matches here and there and she seems like a classy girl. Nice of her to speak up.
 

shogun90

Rookie
How can Aggie say that she is used to Vika and then comment about Maria. I find Vika's two-toned wail just as bad as Maria's shrieks.
 

ilovecarlos

Professional
I've always disliked Shriekapova and now that she's mouthed off about Aggie, I can say I dislike her even more!!!!!
 

boredone3456

G.O.A.T.
didn't Wimbledon a few years ago take note of Sharapova's shreiks as being over 100 decibels and consider actions against her because of it? So there goes her "no one important enough has told me to be different" theory.

Seriously...its annoying. Screaming that loud is totally in excess of what is necessary. Davenport hit the ball just as hard if not harder then some of these girls do today and she NEVER screamed as loud as they do. Its purely an intimidation tactic, especially when I have seen these girls shriek on drop shots. Its insane and something needs to be done because it is making the sport unwatchable. I don't see the men screaming their heads off and they hit harder. Grunting is one thing...screaming, no.
 

Defcon

Hall of Fame
Why hasn't someone asked Shriekapova how she manages to shut up in practice and even during matches when she forgets the act.
 

ttbrowne

Hall of Fame
If you don't like the shriekers, stop watching their matches, stop buying the products they endorse. That's how you put a sock in it.

But what if we love to watch their opponent play? It's like smoking in the only elevator working, "Oh, my smoking bothering you? Well you can just take the stairs."
 

MixieP

Hall of Fame
But what if we love to watch their opponent play? It's like smoking in the only elevator working, "Oh, my smoking bothering you? Well you can just take the stairs."
If you feel strongly about shriekers you have to make a stand, make some sacrifices.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Radwanska sounds like a moron. It's okay when her girl Vika does it, but terrible when Sharapova does it? Double standards.

Of course it's not OK but unlike Sharapova Azarenka is one of her friends, I imagine it's really hard to critisize one of your best friends in public
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
The screaming is ridiculous, but I have to laugh at the casual dismissal of Aggie by Sharapova.

And, though Sharapova seems pretty rude for saying it, she's telling the truth. She's done it her whole career and no one has seriously ever called her on it. She has no reason to believe she has to stop. Fans, commentators, opponents can complain and b**ch all they want, but until ITF or WTA steps in and lays out a clear policy or rule, there's no relief in sight. And, I doubt the powers that be are going to alienate their biggest stars.

Finally, though I totally agree that shrieking can be very annoying to opponents, it doesn't seem to universally be so. Li, Serena, Kvitova, Clijsters, just to name a few, don't ever seem to complain about opponents' shrieking and just go about their business.
 
What the hell would that do?

Absolutely nothing. Stupid argument to make. The only way this changes is if the other players start an uproar about it. Kudos to Aggie for having the balls to say something about it, even if she didn't go at her friend Vika. But something needs to be said about it by more players. It's an embarrassment.

And yes, Sharapova comes off as a total b in these quotes. "Nobody important enough', so forget all the fans that lament it and laugh at you for it, they aren't important enough. Such is the life of a spoiled rich girl.
 

President

Legend
And yes, Sharapova comes off as a total b in these quotes. "Nobody important enough', so forget all the fans that lament it and laugh at you for it, they aren't important enough. Such is the life of a spoiled rich girl.

Not defending what Sharapova said, but you can't really call her a spoiled rich girl. From what I know, she comes from a very poor family in Siberia and had a pretty tough time when she first came to America for training. If I remember correctly, her father couldn't even afford to bring her mother over with them.
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
Not defending what Sharapova said, but you can't really call her a spoiled rich girl. From what I know, she comes from a very poor family in Siberia and had a pretty tough time when she first came to America for training. If I remember correctly, her father couldn't even afford to bring her mother over with them.


I'm not saying Sharapova is a "spoiled rich girl" but I disagree with the idea that if someone grew up under difficult conditions without a lot of money that it forever exempts them from any allegation that they are spoiled, entitled, etc. Fact is, she has had a lot of money for a while now.

Again, I'm not reaching a conclusion on Sharapova. But, I've seen plenty of people who grew up with little money, and later had a lot of money, and they became the most obnoxious, entitled, "spoiled" people you could imagine.
 

THUNDERVOLLEY

G.O.A.T.
Radwanska:

To be honest, I'm kind of used to it, especially with Vika," the Pole said. "We've known each other for many years.

"About Maria, what can I say? For sure that is pretty annoying and it's just too loud. Of course everybody can make some noise. This is tennis. It's really hard work over there. I don't think it's very necessary to scream that loud.

"I don't think this is very nice to watch, those kind of players that scream so much all the time. So that's why I think the WTA wants to change something. If they want to do something, why not?"

Sharapova's response:

"Isn't she back in Poland already?" Sharapova asked when told about Radwanska's opinion. "When did she get a chance to say that?"

And, as if that wasn't put-down enough, Sharapova quickly added:

"I've been the same over the course of my career. No one important enough has told me to change or do something different."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/maria-takes-shrieking-grunted-100006190.html




Yikes, the felines are sharpening their claws.

catfight.jpg


I agree with Radwanksa though.

This match is a prime example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jsLFLILqFRQ

Skip to the point at 50 seconds. Sharapova sounds like she is about to go supersonic at some points lol.

I think Sharapova is right for this reason: None of the real top players have complained much or at all (especially when some engage in noise making themselves), and as i've said time and again, the PTB are never going to seriously confront a star player about that for fear of some sort of negative reaction--the opposite of what tennis desires, with their Disneyland-across-the-world PR approach.

Radwanksa should develop a stronger on-court sense of focus, and play her game, like others do when playing (and defeating) Sharapova.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
The most ridiculous thing about Sharapova's screaming is she doesn't need to do it. I've seen her practising before and thought it must have been another player because she was silent when she hit the ball. If she can hit with intensity and quiet in practice she can do it in matches.
 
I'm not saying Sharapova is a "spoiled rich girl" but I disagree with the idea that if someone grew up under difficult conditions without a lot of money that it forever exempts them from any allegation that they are spoiled, entitled, etc. Fact is, she has had a lot of money for a while now.

Again, I'm not reaching a conclusion on Sharapova. But, I've seen plenty of people who grew up with little money, and later had a lot of money, and they became the most obnoxious, entitled, "spoiled" people you could imagine.

Agreed. I know Sharapova's background, but it does seem like she's a diva, same with Serena. That's what I meant.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
To get an opinion where it needs to go, I'd say it's smart to actually write it down on a piece of paper and mail it to the office of the authorities that are important enough to indeed say something about it. While e-mails are probably better than nothing, they can also pile up, earn little more than a passing glance, and then meet an unceremonious demise via the delete button.

Take the time to write something down, stuff an envelope, stamp it, and mail it. Somebody somewhere will have to eventually open the thing and look at what's inside. More often than not, when someone cares enough to take the time to organize their thoughts in a snail-mail letter, someone else on the receiving end will need to give it some sort of a look.

Change is slow my friends... I LOVE YOU AGGIE!!!
 

President

Legend
I'm not saying Sharapova is a "spoiled rich girl" but I disagree with the idea that if someone grew up under difficult conditions without a lot of money that it forever exempts them from any allegation that they are spoiled, entitled, etc. Fact is, she has had a lot of money for a while now.

Again, I'm not reaching a conclusion on Sharapova. But, I've seen plenty of people who grew up with little money, and later had a lot of money, and they became the most obnoxious, entitled, "spoiled" people you could imagine.

I agree with you there, but usually when I hear of someone being described as "spoiled", it is referring to their upbringing rather than their adult years. I just wanted to point out that her childhood was anything but privileged.
 
Finally, though I totally agree that shrieking can be very annoying to opponents, it doesn't seem to universally be so. Li, Serena, Kvitova, Clijsters, just to name a few, don't ever seem to complain about opponents' shrieking and just go about their business.

That's because they can beat her at her own game and just blast Sharapova off the court, without seemingly whale at the ball, and to do it silently, or what I call real "grunts".

Look, there are grunting, exhaling loudly, and those all come naturally with the motion or the amount of force your body is generating. But shrieking takes a conscious effort, and that's a no no.
 

bjk

Hall of Fame
Radwanska is one smart cookie. Anybody who can make $5 million with her talent has to be sharp.
 

BevelDevil

Hall of Fame
I'm more concerned about the possible loss of TV viewership, rather than the fairness issue. This is why I propose developing audio technology that will filter out the shrieking but leave in the ball popping and shoe squeaking on tv. It should be easy. This is a serious issue because viewership is money.

To get the ball rolling, all we need is a study showing that people are more likely to change the channel when there's shrieking.
 

OrangePower

Legend
Not that it will ever happen, but I would love to see one of the other non-shrieker female players like Radwanska do obvious imitation wails when playing an Azarenka or a Sharapova during an actual match, and see what the reaction is.
 

bjk

Hall of Fame
Not that it will ever happen, but I would love to see one of the other non-shrieker female players like Radwanska do obvious imitation wails when playing an Azarenka or a Sharapova during an actual match, and see what the reaction is.

In other words, let Maria get in her head.

It's a form of expressing her dominance. "I can do this because nobody bigger than me has told me to stop" - in other words, she's the top dog, and the other girls are going to have to take it.
 

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Unfortunately, Sharapova is on her way to what might be a slam win, who would dare attempt to punish her, the returning golden girl slam princess?
 

ben123

Professional
Don't get me wrong, you make some noises I get that. However, screaming at the top of your lungs each and every strike even if you are only barely hitting the ball?

its not (only) that. azarenka for example... her scream is so strange (somewhat like singing uhhh xD) thats obviously no scream of strain
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
I've gained new respect for Sharapova after those comments, I guess she does have a personality. That's some grade A trash talking, 1980s style.

Not sure why so many of you admire Radwanska for talking about this issue in a press conference. To me that is a cop out & means nothing in the big picture. If she actually complained to the umpire during a match vs Sharapova or Azarenka(like some players did vs Seles way back when) then I would admire her. And if every player started complaining to the umpire, then you might see a change.

so forget all the fans that lament it and laugh at you for it, they aren't important enough.

quite frankly they aren't. the constant whining here about grunting is a bit silly. the only way 'fans' can show their displeasure in a way that will make anyone take notice is by walking out during her matches or not paying to see her play. if Sharapova or whoever goes months without absolutely no one in the stands, then WTA will take notice.

but why would the WTA care what fans on the internet think? most posters here probably never even attend just one tennis tournament a year, & mainly just watch tennis on their computer for free. And really mean nothing to the health of pro tennis in the big picture.

Some of you who feel passionately about this should try to convince fans at the AO or IW to leave the stands during matches with these grunters(good luck with that) or try to convince fans that plan on attending WTA events to not. maybe you can buy all the tickets to those events & use them as toliet paper.

I do believe the WTA when they say stuff like research shows that fans don't really care about grunting. Because fans are still watching on tv & still showing up in the stands. Complaining about it after you actually watch the match doesn't actually show your displeasure, not watching it at all does. Ditto with fans who post stuff or write to SI like, "I will never watch WTA again, good day!"
making grand statements on the internet doesn't actually change anything or prove anything.

To get the ball rolling, all we need is a study showing that people are more likely to change the channel when there's shrieking

I'm gonna guess they don't. again, the world of TW(where most hate womens tennis anyway) isn't the real world.

Seriously those who attend tournaments, try talking to fans there. They really don't care about grunting. and if they say they do, but yet still sit in the stands while a grunter goes about their business, clearly they don't care that much.
 
but why would the WTA care what fans on the internet think? most posters here probably never even attend just one tennis tournament a year, & mainly just watch tennis on their computer for free. And really mean nothing to the health of pro tennis in the big picture.

That's not true. What percent of fans of say, the NFL, attend a game per year? Likely less than 10%.

EDIT: Yep, I was right. "“Only seven percent of NFL fans have ever been inside an NFL stadium".
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/24/nfl-knows-it-needs-big-crowds-to-make-for-good-tv/

If all that mattered were the people that attend events, then why even put things on TV? Why even use mediums like the internet and Youtube, which WTA uses heavily, to promote the game?

People that attend the events aren't the only ones that matter, and that's an elitist attitude to have. Any sport needs casual fans to be successful in the long term. It's why the NFL has become America's sport, people who probably don't attend a game a year use things like Fantasy Football to keep tabs on the game and follow it more. The entire basis of your statement is incorrect.

And FWIW the WTA CEO did at least allude to the fact that fans are voicing more concerns about it.

"The guys are grunting as well, it’s not unique to women’s tennis. But our female DNA transmits it in a different way. I’m very focused on the fans and I have seen a slight increase in the fan comments that we’re receiving. So I do think on that basis that we should look at it. And if we’re going to make any changes, it needs to [start] with the junior players…It just comes down to education. They have to determine how they want their brand to be."
http://www.isport.in/tennis/carolin...nters-stacey-allaster-follows-2733/itemid-154

I know grunting can't be eliminated, but the screaching by Pova and Azarenka is absurd. Don't say people don't care. People do care. They cared when Seles did it, enough to make Wimbledon tell her to STFU. So don't make it like it's some rogue issue that only 'us internet fans' care about. The jump to say that people are willing to sit through it = not a problem is not a valid one.

Some of you who feel passionately about this should try to convince fans at the AO or IW to leave the stands during matches with these grunters(good luck with that) or try to convince fans that plan on attending WTA events to not. maybe you can buy all the tickets to those events & use them as toliet paper.

You seen the WTA attendance at non-mixed events? It looks like they already are not turning up, but that probably has more to do with the crappy play than the grunting.
 

GS

Professional
I guess no one remembers what happened at Wimbledon in 1992. Seles was cautioned by an umpire for her screams/grunts in the quarterfinals, and then twice in the semis. In the final, she quit her scream/grunt routine, and lost easily to Graf, 6-2 6-1, since it obviously threw off her normal play.
And now the WTA is "investigating" about how to eliminate their players screaming like crazy? The only way they can keep Shreikapova, Azarenka and Vika quiet is with duct tape.....
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
They cared when Seles did it, enough to make Wimbledon tell her to STFU.

right. that was 20 years ago. and players still grunt. like I said, no one really cares(at least not that much)
funny how Wimbledon hasn't told anyone else to shut up since(including Seles after '92)

People that attend the events aren't the only ones that matter, and that's an elitist attitude to have. Any sport needs casual fans to be successful in the long term. It's why the NFL has become America's sport, people who probably don't attend a game a year use things like Fantasy Football to keep tabs on the game and follow it more. The entire basis of your statement is incorrect.

seems a bit silly to compare a sport that virtually makes peanuts to the NFL. is there such a thing as fantasy tennis? I'm sure all my coworkers are avidly following the AO brackets so they can win a million dollars. oh, wait....

you keep fighting the good fight against grunters. I'm sure something might change in your lifetime(tennis is generally a bit slow to make changes, see the yellow tennis ball, the tiebreak, etc)
 

Sartorius

Hall of Fame
I guess no one remembers what happened at Wimbledon in 1992. Seles was cautioned by an umpire for her screams/grunts in the quarterfinals, and then twice in the semis. In the final, she quit her scream/grunt routine, and lost easily to Graf, 6-2 6-1, since it obviously threw off her normal play.
And now the WTA is "investigating" about how to eliminate their players screaming like crazy? The only way they can keep Shreikapova, Azarenka and Vika quiet is with duct tape.....

I guess this is quite valid. It's probably (I can't bring myself to say "definitely") a part of their game, hindering it would be hindering their tennis.

That said, when I'm watching something like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsLFLILqFRQ

...doesn't take too long before I stop watching.
 
right. that was 20 years ago. and players still grunt. like I said, no one really cares(at least not that much)
funny how Wimbledon hasn't told anyone else to shut up since(including Seles after '92)

seems a bit silly to compare a sport that virtually makes peanuts to the NFL. is there such a thing as fantasy tennis? I'm sure all my coworkers are avidly following the AO brackets so they can win a million dollars. oh, wait....

you keep fighting the good fight against grunters. I'm sure something might change in your lifetime(tennis is generally a bit slow to make changes, see the yellow tennis ball, the tiebreak, etc)

I actually agree with you that the only way serious change will come is if other players complain about it frequently. But that doesn't mean that we as fans shouldn't say anything about the fact that we don't like it either. The point still stands that the WTA goes out of its way to promote the game to casual fans, as does every sport. So saying that only people that go to events matter is still short sighted opinion on your part, since for every major sport the majority of fans have never been to an actual event.
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
But that doesn't mean that we as fans shouldn't say anything about the fact that we don't like it either.

so, have you sent an email to the WTA? Or Espn or CBS or any network that shows tennis?

again I'm not seeing what posting a thread on TW(which I know you haven't) on this matter accomplishes as far as making progress towards this grunt free world of pro tennis.
 

FuriousYellow

Professional
The only way they can keep Shreikapova, Azarenka and Vika quiet is with duct tape.....

:lol: Duct tape over the mouth has become such a universal symbol of protests these days, I see some pics of protesters and wonder what does wearing duct tape have to do with their cause. Maybe it's the fans who should show up to a match wearing it with "Shut up Maria!" written on it.
 

Lionheart392

Professional
I guess no one remembers what happened at Wimbledon in 1992. Seles was cautioned by an umpire for her screams/grunts in the quarterfinals, and then twice in the semis. In the final, she quit her scream/grunt routine, and lost easily to Graf, 6-2 6-1, since it obviously threw off her normal play.
And now the WTA is "investigating" about how to eliminate their players screaming like crazy? The only way they can keep Shreikapova, Azarenka and Vika quiet is with duct tape.....

Seles was not officially warned about her grunting at Wimbledon, at least not that we know of. During the match against Navratilova the umpire mentioned it to her following Martina's complaints but it was not a warning per se.
 

THUNDERVOLLEY

G.O.A.T.
right. that was 20 years ago. and players still grunt. like I said, no one really cares(at least not that much)
funny how Wimbledon hasn't told anyone else to shut up since(including Seles after '92)

Exactly--and the PTB (including sponsors) will not take action against star players, hence the grunting/screaming that continues to this day. Moreover, its only on boards like this one (which attracts many members with extreme levels of hatred toward female players) where the grunting is considered some crime against humanity, when most fans do not care.

So, when Sharapova fired back at Radwanska, she realized 2 things: one, she's a star and that means little will ever be designed to cause her discomfort, and two, she's not being routinely criticized by fans in the stands while she's playing, so there's not much on-site evidence one could use to justify a stand against screaming.
 
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