Russia’s Maria Sharapova returns the ball to Belgium’s Justine Henin – AP Photo/Rick Stevens
Finally, a tennis great has said what everyone who has suffered through those awful grunting matches between women tennis players thinks: it’s cheating.
Martina Navratilova, arguably the greatest woman tennis player of all with eighteen grand slam singles titles, has told the ITF’s Philippe Chatrier Award dinner that “the grunting has reached an unacceptable level. It is cheating, pure and simple. It is time for something to be done.”
Navratilova made the point that “Roger Federer doesn’t make a noise when he hits the ball – go and listen.”
Grunting started, Navratilova claims, with Monica Seles.
It was done to mask the sound of the ball hitting the racquet. As sound is one of the clues, and an important one, about the velocity of the returned ball, the grunting worked to stop the clue being presented to the opponent.
“I couldn’t hear the ball … I had to say something in the end,” Navratilova told her audience.
Watching the French Open when some of the women are playing has become an unbearable experience. Talk about aural pollution!
Complaints have been made one or two of the players, but the officials have gone to water on the problem.
The rules are clear enough. If the grunting is so obtrusive that it disadvantages the opposing player, then it can be ruled out of play.
I equate the grunting problem with swimming’s refusal to do anything about the hi-tech swim suits which allowed some competitors to have an unfair advantage over those not wearing the suits.
The swimming authorities have finally laid down regulations that allow everyone to swim in the same pool, as it were. It’s time now for the tennis authorities to listen to warnings from one of the greats of the game and stop the grunting now.
Otherwise viewers are going to be turned off watching women’s tennis.
What was once a thing of beauty and elegant power is now turning into a grunting match more in line with behaviour in a zoo than a tennis contest.
Maria Sharapova and all the other grunters – just shut up!
bobby
Guest
I willnot wach tennis anymore because of the rediculis grunting from the male and female players ban it now.
Jim
Guest
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.
Francois T
Guest
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?
vee14
Guest
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.
Mary Percy
Guest
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.
Phil
Guest
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.
Reznik
Guest
Dushan, you are an ugly loser, scccceeeettchhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Strange Though
Guest
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!!!
Craig
Guest
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!
eric
Guest
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!
hammer
Guest
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
DaniE
Guest
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!
Ella
Guest
Hi. I think Maria's too loud. She's a lioness in a zoo and cheating.
Craig
Guest
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.
Dushan
Guest
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
ohtani's jacket,
Guest
Ha, Spiro writes this column every year.
sheek
Guest
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..........
Brett McKay
Guest
Pip, only if you said you liked Sharapova's grunting but still hate Manuka Oval ;-)
Chop
Roar Guru
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.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
At this point, would I attract undue attention if I were to admit that I don't mind Sharap's grunting...