The ridiculous screaming from the mouths of players like Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka must be removed from the game of tennis. While many argue this is easier screamed than done, I suggest one simple rule change.
Once a ball a player hits has passed over the net, the player who hit it must be quiet.
The hindrance rule already exists and has been used for verbal hindrance plenty of times before, so why not use it to stamp out what is undoubtedly everyone’s least favourite part of the game?
When Serena Williams was called for screaming “Come on!” in the middle of a point in the 2009 US Open final she went berserk.
In a replay of the ridiculous foot fault outburst from the previous year, she started screaming and remonstrating while making misguided (and in some cases downright idiotic) statements about and at the umpire.
After the fact though, most sensible people (clearly not Serena herself) recognised while perhaps a let should have been played rather than losing the point, Williams’ outburst was pathetic and wrong.
So why not use the same hindrance rule to stop Maria Sharapova’s incessant racket (pun intended)?
Once the ball is past the net, the offending player’s grunt must be done. This gives enough time for any reasonable sound, if actually a result of an exertion of energy, to be finished.
Obviously umpires would have to make judgement calls in the case of lightning fast winners that are past the opponent before you can blink. But the rule could be applied to the shriek.
It would end the horrific reign of terror Sharapova, Azarenka and Serena’s vocal chords have held over the tennis world for the last five years and allow their undeniably excellent play to dominate.
Jonathan Healy
Roar Rookie
Your comment is really confusing. What do you mean we should be charged extra? Also, there's a colossal difference between a small involuntary grunt like Djokovic lets out versus the intentional and illegal shrieking employed so prominently by Azarenka and Sharapova. It's wholeheartedly unnatural.
Me Too
Guest
Crowds should all go 'weeeeee' as soon as any grunters' opponent has hit the ball. I noticed last night (after reading the article) that azarenka's 'weee's extend well past when her opponent hits the ball. Imagine a soccer player being able to 'weeeee' as s/he attempts a penalty kick? A fast bowler about to unleash a bouncer? A boxer weeeing with every jab? Just feel that vocal twinge with all these motions - let it go, let it out, really loud! It's cheating plain and simple and if the authorities won't act then the audience should.
brad cooper
Guest
You're all kidding, right? We should be charged extra for the grunts. If it was only a cynical tactic, it would be as offputting for the grunter as their opponent and not worth the effort. If you've played tennis you should have noticed at least some involuntary vocalisation as you begin your strokes. It's as natural as a kid's tongue curling while doing long division.
Moggie
Guest
We actually will not ever watch womens tenis again after this years Aussie Open. This screaming by Sharapova and the likes is beyond comprehension. There should be no leaway whatsoever and they should be forced to keep their mouths zipped.
Knoxy
Guest
I watched the end of the semi final between Azarenka and Stephens. I noticed that Azarenka was grunting even when she approached the net to hit volleys. Absolutely ridiculous.
posidous
Guest
Malo mind seems to have stopped working around the year 1601. Also called MCP
dasilva
Guest
I wouldn't mind if crowds were able to cheer throughout the match. I think what distracts players is when there is a sudden jump in volume. However if the crowd is uniformly loud throughout the match it becomes background noise Sure players lose every benefit from hearing the sound of the ball but that seems to already be happening with the grunting
Oracle
Guest
Azarenka's tactical "Injury time out" against Stephens was an absolute disgrace. Not only was it not in the spirit of the game, but a blatantly cynical use of the rules. If her screaming is not enough for the tennis public not to be a fan of hers, today's effort is an irrefutable reason to be anti-Azarenka. She deserves a crowd that is entirely against her in Saturday's final and to also let her know that her disgraceful shrieking is not part of the game as well. Hopefully the crowd will give it to Azarenka in spades.
Malo
Guest
Its all womens tennis has got, how they get the same pay as men in some tournaments is a joke . The top three women just raking it in as there is very little depth in the womens.
Bigjohn
Guest
If the players are permitted to squeal , then perhaps the crowd should be encouraged to scream just as the player is about to serve.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
The shriek or grunt is used as a tactic and shuld be banned. The sound made by the racket hitting the ball can indicate the amount of backspin placed on the ball. The shriek is used purely to try to cover this sound.
Aaron
Guest
just watch matches on mute when sharapova and co are playing. if players are really annoyed by it, they can wear earplugs.
dasilva
Guest
I will say that if there is something to stop players for screaming, there should be done in an objective manner. Such as there should be a decibel meter and the screaming shouldn't elevate over a certain level. If there is a subjective stopping players for screaming it would be easily accused of sexism. This is because the frequency area where we are most sensitive to sounds is the 1 kHz to 4 kHz region. It's just so happen that's the same frequency where women and children screaming. It is there so we are most sensitive to hearing people scream. Which means that if a male and female person are grunting at the same volume, we will be more senstiive to the female screaming because they scream at a higher pitch in the sensitive frequency region. It's not entirely fair to punish the female tennis player for screaming at the same volume as the male counterpart.
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
It should be stopped but it can't be while three of the very top players are the main screamers. Make it illegal for the junior levels and then in about 10 years it will be stopped.
polly
Guest
I just tolerate it but have to say, it makes watching a Sharapova match difficult. If I find it off-putting then I can understand an opponent having their concentration broken. Has an opposing player ever complained ?
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
There is not much they can do about Vika and Sharapova's screaming, but they are talking steps to cut it out at the junior level, so when the juniors become pro they hopefully wont be screaming.
John
Guest
It's not going anywhere, at least not for the next four or five years. As long as Serena, Sharapova and Azarenka dominate the women's game it'll remain. Those three players are pretty much keeping the tour afloat. I've become used to it, though Vika is ear-piercing. I root for Sharapova too hard to stop watching. Everyone else should either be content with it or stop watching the WTA and return in another half decade.