Comments on: Sharapova shut up! Tennis grunting is cheating

By: bobby

bobby — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:17:37 +0000

I willnot wach tennis anymore because of the rediculis grunting from the male and female players ban it now.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:09:04 +0000

Because some people find this particular bit of “effort” annoying.

Sharapova may have once stated that she’s “not going to change” (bratty statement) but I’m pretty sure that if opponents asked for her to be silenced, she’d be put in her place, and quieted down in short order. Hope that happens more often.

I’ll only watch her matches if I’m a fan of her opponent, and even then, it’s with the sound off.

By: Francois T

Francois T — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:19:46 +0000

Honestly I agree with Craig immensely. Grunting has become part of the game, its something that people should just get used to. I know, for me, I feel more excited watching a player who grunts as for me grunting shows effort. Ok, Sharapova grunts from point 1 and that, ill conceed is a little odd. But when you watch players like Serena, she generally grunts when she is in trouble and it to me says ‘Im not done yet, I will fight for every point’ which makes it exciting. Anyone who has an orgasm or orgasmic thoughts over it, really shouldn’t be watching.
As someone who has respected Martina N for a long time now, I can see her point as far as it being a distraction to the opponents, but as a fan I find it to be very entertining based on the point I made earlier regarding serena.
To me, its all about extra-effort and if a player is willing to make the extra-effort, why should we not applaud that?

By: vee14

vee14 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:05:42 +0000

Gosh. if you dont like the grunting then don’t watch it go watch some other tennis player, leave maria sharapova alone, she is a great tennis player even though shes not doing so well right now but so what if thats how she plays then thats how she plays. If people can’t stand the grunting then why do they come and watch the person play, they could just leave the stands if they wanted to but they don’t.

By: Mary Percy

Mary Percy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:48:21 +0000

I gave up on women’s tennis when Sharapova brought her “grunt” to the game. Her coach said she’s been doing it from the age of eleven. If that’s not cheating, I don’t know what is. I remember a match where she was warned about code of conduct and — surprise, surprise — not another sound out of her. I could cope with Seles and even Serena, but not that scream which is almost equivalent to a jet taking off.

What appalled me was a photo in last week’s paper of a four-year-old whose father has taken her to the USA for tennis coaching (obviously we don’t know anything about the game here). People were worrying about the fact that she is only four and has that much pressure on her. My problem with the photo is not her age, but the fact that she is obviously screaming very loudly.

Make ‘em play on grass (preferably Mildura): they’ll have to concentrate more and maybe, just maybe, not screech any more.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:51:20 +0000

Thank you Ms. Navratalova for your stand against grunting. Too bad many of your colleagues and tennis officials are too accepting of such unsportmanslike behavior by these grunters. Fans should no longer be polite to these arrogant grunters; they should gather together in groups of 10-15 people, sit as close to the court as possible, then perform a group grunt just before the Azarenka’s, Sharapova’s, Williams’ et al get ready to hit. Maybe then they will understand how distracting, irritating and unsportsmanlike their behavior is.

By: Reznik

Reznik — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:15:34 +0000

Dushan, you are an ugly loser, scccceeeettchhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

By: Strange Though

Strange Though — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:37:30 +0000

Strange… If screaming is cheating than I believe most players would be disqualified. I think what is more important is the verbal abuse that is incurred in multiple languages. At this point, one can’t curse in the language of the ‘chairs’ or that of the fans, but any other seems fine. Wierd… Also, is screaming is so bad, than most at point of ‘pleasure’ would be faking it. Ok, I agree that was a low blow. Finally if rules are to be followed, the crowd should be quite throughout the point, and as we all know that almost never happens.

Well, I think this is just another Sharapova-hater!!!

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:11:45 +0000

DaniE alot of people are interested in the women’s game or it couldnt possible exist, why would companies such as sony erricson sposnor the WTA if it was not a popular sport. give it another year or so and it will be as popular as the mens game for sure.

Sharapova RULES!

By: eric

eric — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:17:14 +0000

Imagine if the crowd all grunted as the player started to serve. Not just the sharp grunt, but the extended half grunt, half sigh that we hear now. The umpire would be busy with his merci barcoo then!

By: hammer

hammer — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:51:28 +0000

Really if you’ve got nothing worthwhile to write about – don’y bother

the answer is simple zavos turn the volume down .. she’s not only one and having watched the mens semi’s last night Gonzalas likes a grunt … but of course Navratilova won’t be interested in him and neither would you because womans tennis is an easy target …. or womens sport fullstop

By: DaniE

DaniE — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:04:34 +0000

Craig, to be honest I don’t know of many people – young or old – who are interested in women’s tennis all that much at all. Sharapova’s shrieking, if anything, turns more people off the game. I’m really not convinced of your logic there!

By: Ella

Ella — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:07:30 +0000

Hi. I think Maria’s too loud. She’s a lioness in a zoo and cheating.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:10:57 +0000

I think its an important part of the game. sharapova is amazing and if she wants to grunt we should let her. I think when you watch tennis matches when know players are grunting it feels as if something is missing, it just doesnt see mright. everyone is complaining and threatening to stop watchin if the grunts continue, this is mainy the older more traditional of the viewers. Youngsters and more modern viewers think it adds intensity. If it was taken away the youngsters would lose interest and the womens game would suffer. We need to keep the young viewers interested as they will help the longjevity of tennis and the woman’s tour. I think navratilova should indeed- just shut up.

By: Dushan

Dushan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:26:54 +0000

People, you are annoying and jealous of her!!!
She is the best tennis player and if she grunts, that’s her problem not yours….Go MARIA!!!!
Love from SERBIA

By: ohtani's jacket,

ohtani's jacket, — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:51:42 +0000

Ha, Spiro writes this column every year.

By: sheek

sheek — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:56:42 +0000

I think it was actor Peter Ustinov who said he wouldn’t want to be next door on Monica Seles’ wedding night.

I don’t know, all this female grunting is giving me ideas……….

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:38:42 +0000

Pip, only if you said you liked Sharapova’s grunting but still hate Manuka Oval

By: Chop

Chop — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:33:10 +0000

Is that because you have nasty thoughts about it pip? hehehehe

OK seriously I can’t stand it, she’s awesome to look at and I do think she’s a good player as well as being exceptionally easy on the eye, but I turn the sound down when watching her.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:27:38 +0000

At this point, would I attract undue attention if I were to admit that I don’t mind Sharap’s grunting…

By: Chop

Chop — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:13:49 +0000

It was tongue firmly in cheek Joeb….

I agree it should go but actually implementing that is a completely different matter.

There should be a differentiation between a grunt and the screams that I think are the issue where it’s so loud you can’t hear the ball off the racquet.

I’ve been trying to dig up a very good article I read when Monica Seles was around and getting criticised for her screaming. She described like the martial arts guys with their screaming at the moment of impact.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:41:27 +0000

I don’t watch Sharapova – it’s too annoying.
I watched last night’s game between Sam Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova. On the most important games Kuznetsova was her loudest. There were points whe she made no noise at all.

Strangely, when she was her loudest she didn’t necessarily hit it hardest -as shown by her serve speed. It has to be ruled out. Coaches will then stop teaching it.

By: joeb

joeb — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:37:15 +0000

“I bet you’re the kind of guy who sticks hot chips to the inside of your windscreen and watches seagulls knock themselves out going for it….” — Chop
No! That’s the sort of thing Goebbels and Mengele would get up to. Not me.

“It could be eradicated as you said Spiro if they started taking points away.”
Spot on Benje & Spiro.

By: Benjamin Conkey

Benjamin Conkey — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:07:55 +0000

Last night Kutsnetsova was consistent with her groundstrokes but inconsistent with her shrieking. I swear half the time they don’t even know they’re doing it or not doing it. It just turns into a habit. It could be eradicated as you said Spiro if they started taking points away. But then there would be even more shrieking directed at the umpire!

By: Hemjay

Hemjay — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:29:29 +0000

If thats what shes like on the court imagine what she’s like in the bedroom

I have to agree there’s just no need for it. I see some so called experts are saying its the expultion of air or something stupid like that from the force of hitting the ball.

As for the chips thing Chop that is pretty funny

By: Chop

Chop — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:18:55 +0000

Joeb,

I bet you’re the kind of guy who sticks hot chips to the inside of your windscreen and watches seagulls knock themselves out going for it….

I don’t think Federer has EVER said he deserves it more. In fact he’s one of the most humble guys in sport in my opinion.

By: Jameswm

Jameswm — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:16:56 +0000

It’s not just cheating – it turns you off.

I don’t understand why they don’t do anything about it. Then again, I don’t know whyfootball doesn’t use video replays for off-sides and balls crossing the line, have tribunal reviews of matches etc…

By: joeb

joeb — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:14:48 +0000

A mandatory gag or muzzle comes to mind for Ms Sharapova, as perhaps it should for the Williams twins as well. Unfortunately it reached the stage of having to turn the sound off some time ago, perhaps as far back as when a certain brat was on the circuit. Hear, hear for Martina’s timely reminder, and to think Seles could be so conniving!

“Navratilova made the point that “Roger Federer doesn’t make a noise when he hits the ball – go and listen.””

True, but to sob the way he did when he went down to the Spaniard in the Oz Open earlier this year is surely the epitome of poor sportsmanship as well, i.e., “I deserve it more than him, cos, cos,… I’m Roger the invincible.”

Hope the schmuck loses in the French.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:52:56 +0000

Spot on Spiro, and it was interesting and heartening to hear Martina’s comments. I don’t think anyone minds an audible “effort” grunt every now and again, but the womens game has become unbearable. And don’t worry about “viewers are going to be turned off “, that’s already been happening for years. For me, it was the Williams brothers that killed it as a spectacle. How anyone can “inadvertantly” let out the same blood-curdling shreik for a soft volley as they would a baseline shot is just beyond me..

By: mcxd

mcxd — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:03:33 +0000

here here Spiro. i cant stand watching the game if she plays. its a disgrace she gets away with it.