I know that it's not just Sharapova, but she is the worst offender right now. The noise level detracts from the enjoyment as spectators (I don't find it a turn-on in this setting, by the way) and it must be distracting for her opponents. Back in the day, I found it hard to root for Seles, and even Serena over the years.
So, is it gamesmanship that they are taught? Is it involuntary? Can it somehow be penalized?
Was Golovin just exhibiting sour grapes when she said after losing to Sharapova:
"It is kind of distracting. You don't need to be screaming that loud," Golovin said. "I don't think the ball actually goes faster if she's grunting."
Your thoughts, please!
2006-09-07 02:44:19 · 15 answers · asked by Da Whispering Genius 4 in Sports ➔ Tennis
i hate it, it's really distracting not to mention torture to the ears. i watch these matches on tv and sometimes the noise gets so bad i just have to turn down the volume. imagine if you're the one out there playing against these grunters and you're trying to concentrate on your game, you'll probably go nuts! lol...
with sharapova, i think maybe there's just a bit of gamesmanship about it. i've seen many of her matches but in that game with golovin, she really turned it up a notch! i feel sorry for golovin, though for a while there she was putting out her own voodoo, lol. there seems to be bit of history between these 2 so if the grunting and the shrieking were part of thre sharapova game plan, well, i guess it worked.
2006-09-07 03:32:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Totally agree. Sometimes her shrieking is so annoying I can't watch her match so it must be distracting for her opponents therefore giving her an unfair advantage. And I notice that she doesn't do it all the time so maybe she can control her shrieking and she just uses that to distract them.
I don't mind it as much though when players are serving it just seems more natural and it is expected.
I think Golovin was right but she shouldn't have let the noise distract her...mabe she was looking for a scape goat?
2006-09-08 13:50:51 · answer #2 · answered by ellegrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not only a nationally certified Tennis Instructor and Top 20 tennis player in New England, but I'm also a former Tennis Umpire. So, I feel particularly well-qualified to answer your question.
The official Rules of Tennis firmly state that you're not allowed to distract your opponent, and the current level of shrieking and grunting is so loud and unnecessary that I'm absolutely certain it qualifies as a distraction.
What completely surprises me is that no opponent as yet has complained to the tennis umpire. When this long overdue event finally occurs, and the opponent is publicly chastised for being a Poor Sport, the shrieking and grunting will finally diminsh and stop.
2006-09-09 20:05:42 · answer #3 · answered by jeff spin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea I agree. I don't mind it with the men; I think you're allowed to grunt to a certain extent - especially on that serve or that hard to reach ball, but to shriek emphatically every time you hit the ball is just way too much. Plus men grunt in a fashion much better than the women. Maybe Sharapova will have her vocal chords blown out by the time she's 30.
2006-09-07 11:02:19 · answer #4 · answered by Nodoudt 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There was a huge controversy when Monica Seles grunted some 10 years ago. Looks like everyones doing these days and voila! theres no controversy.
You should have seen Nadal vs Youzhny buddy.
Nadal was screaming/grunting like crazy.
Sigh!
2006-09-07 11:04:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see a whole bunch of tennis players grunt loudly all the time. Did you see Venus Williams in last year's Wimbledon? And what about Nadal? He grunts too.
As long as the player is good, I'll give you that.
2006-09-11 16:39:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you. A lot of players grunt, but Sharapova takes it to whole new level. It's ridiculous. Even when she's hitting a drop-shot, she sounds like an air-raid siren.
2006-09-07 20:01:44 · answer #7 · answered by rammsteinfan-1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't stand it. I usually mute the tv and listen to the radio or a cd while I'm watching it. I just need to see it, that's all. I hate those loud grunting noises.
2006-09-09 00:34:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree.....those noises she makes drive me up the wall.....can't watch her....have to turn it off. I think it's a bad habit that she's been allowed to continue and should get under control and I do think it has to be distracting to the other players.
2006-09-07 09:53:19 · answer #9 · answered by Tallulah 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yep, it is soo annoying especially when sharapova does it, first she is arrogant plus she makees that screaming noise everytime she vollyes the ball back to her opponent
2006-09-07 10:25:36 · answer #10 · answered by shop2liv1s 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋