Woz Sick Of Grunting

[MatsPhilander]

World number one Caroline Wozniacki has complained about Monica Niculescu's "disturbing" grunting after beating her in the third round at the Qatar Open. The Australian Open champion won 7-5 6-1 but accused the Romanian of making too much noise and spoke to the umpire. Wozniacki, 27, continued her criticism off-court, calling Niculescu "a player that tries to get into your head".

The WTA has said umpires can act on grunting if it is deemed to affect an opponent through a 'deliberate act'. "I just tried to let him [the umpire] know to pay attention to her grunting because she'll hit the ball and two seconds later when the ball is on my side and I'm right about to hit, she'll start grunting and make a noise, and she'll change the grunt according to what she feels like," Wozniacki claimed. "It's disturbing. It's in the rules that they're not supposed to do that so I was just making sure the umpire was paying attention to that. And she stopped doing that after."

Wozniacki moved back to the top of the women's rankings after winning her first grand slam title in Melbourne in January. But Niculescu, who beat Maria Sharapova in the first round in Qatar, has defended her game. She told Romanian TV channel Digi Sport: "That was very bad from her, I have never heard a number one talk like that. I am really disappointed by what she said and I think she gives herself too much importance. I didn't want to get in her head. This is how I play."

 

[Steve0904]

Agree with Wozniacki here. Or at least her overall point. And Niculescu does seem to have a few extended grunts in there. I mean, who grunts on a slice FH anyway?

I also have to laugh a bit at Niculescu's response. "Very bad, I've never heard a #1 talk like that." So then tell me what the point is exactly of her being #1? Does it really matter that she's #1 and she's complaining about this? Sure, she'll get more publicity than if she was ranked #20 for example, but any woman on the WTA could complain about this if she wanted to.

It always kind of baffles me when someone uses the #1 ranking argument like they should be held to a higher standard because they're #1. Nobody has to refrain from complaining about grunting or anything else just because they're at the top of the rankings.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

This is why she’s my favorite female player

 

[AiRFederer]

Niculeswhatever is a loser anyway. Cheater.

 

[TheAssassin]

Seeing Niculescu only using a forehand slice is far more cringeworthy to me than any kind of grunting.

 

[Sysyphus]

Niculescu's not even particularly loud, it's just the timing of the grunts that's weird at times.

Seems to me that Woz has a tendency to pull this primadonna shtick against journeywomen*, but I'd take her more seriously if she stands up to some of her fellow stars who grunt far more obscenely than a Niculsescu, such as Masha or her friendo Serena, but somehow I don't see that happening.

*

 

[Otacon]

Speaking to Romanian TV channel Digi Sport, Niculescu said: "That was very bad from her, I have never heard a No 1 talk like that. I am really disappointed by what she said and I think she gives herself too much importance. I didn't want to get in her head. This is how I play."

 

[Otacon]

I notice that there is a certain animosity between the WTA players.

 

[Jmauer]

A player has the right to protest if they think an opponent is breaking the rules.

The bigger problem is that the tour doesn't care about the rule being broken.

It's gotten to a point where they lose a lot of tv viewership because of it, but perhaps they win with ticket sales. From a business perspective, it must make sense for the decision makers of the tour to continue to do nothing about it.

Unfortunately the sport loses in the current scenario. The integrity of the sport suffers, the players who play by the actual rules suffer, and the viewers suffer.

The winners would be the tour (if they do perceive it as a win) and the players who abuse the rule win (the lack of enforcement means an added edge on the competition).

Strategically, it was smart of Woz to make a fuss about this (if her agenda is that all players play by the same rules) in this particular match because she:

A. currently holds the top ranking (gives more credibility to her voice as a player)
B. she made the fuss in a match against a non-top 10 player

I do think that if more players make a fuss about it, especially in matches (media coverage) - but also in their pressers, that over time it will put some pressure on the tour to reconsider it's position.

We will see what happens!

 

[Steve0904]

This is why she’s my favorite female player

Come on! You're not fooling anyone with that.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Come on! You're not fooling anyone with that.

That’s a minor reason

 

[jaggy]

I am loving the FH slice

 

[Steve0904]

Niculescu's not even particularly loud, it's just the timing of the grunt's that's weird at times.

Seems to me that Woz has a tendency to pull this primadonna shtick against journeywomen*, but I'd take her more seriously if she stands up to some of her fellow stars who grunt far more obscenely than a Niculsescu, such as Masha or her friendo Serena, but somehow I don't see that happening.

*

Your second point I agree with, but I've heard many pros say that the timing of grunts is worse than the loudness of them.

 

[Sum Buddy Ells]

"I think if something that small can irritate you [on court], that's a bigger issue in itself. I knew it was coming. I was prepared for it. I mean, obviously in the first couple of games, you get used to it. Everyone has a bit of a different grunt. But, no, you get used to it." -Ashleigh Barty

Off-topic: I LOVE Barty's game. If the ATP does undergo a recession after Fedalovic retire, I'm hoping Ash can make up for it in the WTA with her variety and tactical prowess.

 

[Jmauer]

"I think if something that small can irritate you [on court], that's a bigger issue in itself. I knew it was coming. I was prepared for it. I mean, obviously in the first couple of games, you get used to it. Everyone has a bit of a different grunt. But, no, you get used to it." -Ashleigh Barty

Off-topic: I LOVE Barty's game. If the ATP does undergo a recession after Fedalovic retire, I'm hoping Ash can make up for it in the WTA with her variety and tactical prowess.

I disagree with her on this, though I do admire her perspective. She is obviously trying to adjust to everything on court, but what she is missing is that some players are getting away with cheating every time they step on the court.

And yet, what a wonderful and classy response from her.

And she is taking the absolute high road as an athlete. If you are coaching, what more could you want from the athlete than a response like hers when it comes to competition.

Classy, classy young woman...with an absolutely AWESOME tennis game.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Wozniacki vs umpires

Love that match up

 

[Mainad]

Niculescu's not even particularly loud, it's just the timing of the grunt's that's weird at times.

Seems to me that Woz has a tendency to pull this primadonna shtick against journeywomen*, but I'd take her more seriously if she stands up to some of her fellow stars who grunt far more obscenely than a Niculsescu, such as Masha or her friendo Serena, but somehow I don't see that happening.

She was very vocal in her feelings about Sharapova's return to the tour following her drugs ban.

 

[Russeljones]

I'm sick of Wozniacki's face and her opinions.

 

[Mainad]

Wozniacki showing her new clout as world #1 (THIS TIME backed up with a Slam) by taking the lesser minions to task when she feels they're out of line!

You go girl!!!

http://www.**************.org/imgb/53699/caroline-wozniacki-hires-new-hitting-partner.jpg

 

[Sysyphus]

She was very vocal in her feelings about Sharapova's return to the tour following her drugs ban.

Caroline Wozniacki: It's unacceptable that I am on Court 5 while Maria Sharapova gets to play on Centre

her slight Diva Complex does indeed seem to extend to even post-ban Sharapova; though a whole host of players seemed to find it much easier to kick her when she was down.

 

[Mainad]

Caroline Wozniacki: It's unacceptable that I am on Court 5 while Maria Sharapova gets to play on Centre

her slight Diva Complex does indeed seem to extend to even post-ban Sharapova; though a whole host of players seemed to find it much easier to kick her when she was down.

And that was Wozzy BEFORE she won her maiden Slam and regained the #1 ranking!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

And that was Wozzy BEFORE she won her maiden Slam and regained the #1 ranking!

Caroline and Maria need to settle it out on court 17.

 

[moonballs]

In principle Woz is right because I hate grunting at all levels. But I watched the video the grunting is no where near as bad. Even the extended or delayed timing wasn’t that bad.

 

[yokied]

Came here for a principled stand against grunting, got Niculescu's prancing slice game as a bonus. She actually jumps in the air too when hitting it, with strange shot selection all round. Would love to meet whoever built her game into that (probably a tennis dad though).

 

[Deleted member 688153]

^ Why are WTA players always coached by their effing dad?

It's weird and just seems unprofessional.
It could quite well be one of the main reasons for the lack of quality on the women's tour

 

[Krish0608]

I would even prefer Coco to Wozniacki. Her arrogance makes me wanna puke. So full of herself. Jeez!

 

[4-string]

Glad to see someone adressing that grunting nonsense.

 

[MatsPhilander]

Your second point I agree with, but I've heard many pros say that the timing of grunts is worse than the loudness of them.

Snooker players are far more gentlemanly in the way they approach similar issues.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

^ Why are WTA players always coached by their effing dad?

It's weird and just seems unprofessional.
It could quite well be one of the main reasons for the lack of quality on the women's tour

What, cause having your uncle coach you is so much better?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

I notice that there is a certain animosity between the WTA players.

Just saw Kvitova and Woz embrace each other at the net after their hard fought semifinal. Meanwhile, Donald Young and Ryan Harrison almost ended up in a fist fight the other day in New York with Young accusing Ryan of racism on twitter. But yeah, just animosity between WTA players.

 

[sportsfan1]

She was very vocal in her feelings about Sharapova's return to the tour following her drugs ban.

In Sharapova's case she and bouchard were correct to be vocal. There's nothing worse than a player with suspect practices and cover up stories.
However in Niculescu's case, Woz did go overboard and make a big deal out of what doesn't sound like a grunt. Anybody who's played on the wta tour as long as Woz has, against players like Sharapova, Azarenka without complaining, should find Niculescu's grunt to be music to their ears!

 

[travlerajm]

15 years ago I played a usta league singles match. I had just come back from a year off from tennis, and I was struggling to avoid double faults. After the first several double faults, my opponent started shuffling his feet loudly whenever I began my service motion. When I came to the net and called him out on it, his response was “that’s just how I play.” BS

 

[fundrazer]

In principle Woz is right because I hate grunting at all levels. But I watched the video the grunting is no where near as bad. Even the extended or delayed timing wasn’t that bad.

If this was a matter of principle she would do the same thing when playing against Serena, Venus, Masha, Azarenka, and all of the other grunters/squealers/shriekers. Has she done this? No.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Agree with Wozniacki here. Or at least her overall point. And Niculescu does seem to have a few extended grunts in there. I mean, who grunts on a slice FH anyway?

I also have to laugh a bit at Niculescu's response. "Very bad, I've never heard a #1 talk like that." So then tell me what the point is exactly of her being #1? Does it really matter that she's #1 and she's complaining about this? Sure, she'll get more publicity than if she was ranked #20 for example, but any woman on the WTA could complain about this if she wanted to.

It always kind of baffles me when someone uses the #1 ranking argument like they should be held to a higher standard because they're #1. Nobody has to refrain from complaining about grunting or anything else just because they're at the top of the rankings.

Well said. It's also worth noting that Woz complained despite a straight sets win, so the sour grapes card is out the window for good measure.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

If this was a matter of principle she would do the same thing when playing against Serena, Venus, Masha, Azarenka, and all of the other grunters/squealers/shriekers. Has she done this? No.

she mad cuz of the delay though

 

[MatsPhilander]

 

[Mainad]

In Sharapova's case she and bouchard were correct to be vocal. There's nothing worse than a player with suspect practices and cover up stories.
However in Niculescu's case, Woz did go overboard and make a big deal out of what doesn't sound like a grunt. Anybody who's played on the wta tour as long as Woz has, against players like Sharapova, Azarenka without complaining, should find Niculescu's grunt to be music to their ears!

It may have been the way Nicolescu was grunting rather than the volume. Is there any history of bad blood between them?