Time magazine and others report that officials at this year’s Wimbledon tournament might crack down on loud screams during play – possibly banning it.
Maria Sharapova Screams while hitting
With new attention brought to it Martina Navratilova’s call for grunting to be deemed cheating, the International Tennis Federation is poised to crack down.The ITF is considering broadening the measures that officials can take in penalizing repeat offenders such as Maria Sharapova. Umpires already can award a point against players if their grunting is deemed to have hindered their opponent. But now the ITF is weighing up whether to include “noise hindrance” in its code of conduct, according to Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper.
Under the new rule, persistent offenders could be defaulted from a match under a penalty scale which, at first, calls for the docking of points and then games. Sharapova is one of the worst grunters while several male players have also been criticized for the habit.
Here’s a quick list of the 4 worst screamers in tennis:
- Venus and Serena Williams have hit 90 decibels
- Monica Seles’ screech was measured at 93 decibels at Wimbledon in 1992.
- Maria Sharapova occasionally topping 100 decibels.
- Michelle Larcher de Brito – 109 decibels – a level slightly lower than a jet taking off
Apparently, some players find the screeching distracting. Here’s a quick video of Maria Sharapova and de Britoe having a fight of the grunting Queens.
Here’s a quick history of grunting in tennis:
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1974: Grunting pioneer Jimmy Connors wins first Wimbledon title
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1988: Ivan Lendl complains about Andre Agassi at US Open
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1992: Monica Seles spoken to by officials at Wimbledon
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2005: Maria Sharapova’s grunt reaches 101 decibels
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2009: Michelle Larcher de Brito receives unofficial warning at Roland Garros
Do you think grunting should be banned in tennis or does it add to the game? I think it’s starting to become annoying. Even the New York Times agrees.
9 responses so far ↓
Thomas // June 28, 2009 at 1:30 am |
This screaming & grunting carried out by so many pro tennis players these days amounts to no more than blatent exhibitionism, it’s really all just unneccessary bullshit…I have personally put it to the test & found that the tennis ball can be hit just as hard & aggressively without any apparent noise…just a matter of self control thats all.
tennisnoise // July 1, 2009 at 7:17 pm |
I agree, it’s become a distraction to the sport. Imagine if Tiger Woods grunted every time he hit the golf ball? Annoying thought isn’t it?
arf // September 6, 2009 at 7:04 pm |
I used to love to watch pro tennis. No more. First and foremost because of the awful screaming by both the men and the women. I needs to be banned. And secondly, there is no excitement in the outcome anymore. The men’s winner is Federer an the women’s winner is one of the Williams sisters. Yawn, ho-hum.
tennisnoise // September 6, 2009 at 9:20 pm |
Arf,
I don’t think that’s going to happen this year with Isner’s win over Roddick and a possible upset of the WIlliams sister, tennis is always unexpected, I love it & always will!!
Dr. Bob // September 13, 2009 at 4:53 pm |
All of the loud-mouthed screamers got whipped at the US Open this month. The only player they
are trying to disrupt….turns out to be themselves. I had always assumed that, whoever
was banging Sharapova, would have to use ear
plugs. However, her boyfriend report that she
doesn’t make a sound….just lays there. Go figure! This stupid behavior on the tennis court
has to be banned….period!
tennisnoise // September 14, 2009 at 5:59 pm |
I agree, it’s getting to be bothersome when you watch a match and the players scream. Imagine if a golfer did that……Annoying…
Masha Fan // November 10, 2009 at 8:00 pm |
I find the grunting adding to the game – I’ve watched some “silent” games and it’s booooring – When Masha plays it’s kinda like an accompaniment to her strokes – and often you can hear when she’s going for the BIG hit or when she has failed
I can not imagine to watch a Masha game without her grunts – it’s so Masha – and as she said – watch the game – instead of getting annoyed – cause when a Masha in good form is playing – man – that’s something – No one has given women tennis such a boost ever – Not Martina Navratilova – not Steffie Graf etc – no one!
Cheating? – Naaahhh – As far as I know – no one on the WTA tour have complained?
tennisnoise // November 11, 2009 at 7:31 am |
I actually agree, I think her grunting has helped womens tennis.
Masha Fan // November 10, 2009 at 8:03 pm |
And oh – I can not understand all the annoyment about it – small minded – all you’ve to do is to use your volume button – geeezzz!