Every January, when the Australian Open rolls around, we are confronted with one of tennis’ most controversial issues: grunting. Exhaling. The noise players make when they hit the ball.
All players are different, having learnt and developed their skills in different ways, which manifest in their distinct playing style.
In relation to the grunt, each player who makes such a noise has come to that position over such a long period of time that it has become a mostly involuntary sound.
Much like the exhale of a gym junkie on the power cleans, a quick exhale of air apparently allows tennis’ lifting or hitting action to be carried out with more power and efficiency.
As an evening and weekend tennis hack, I understand how the grunt occurs – I even admit I sometimes do it.
The most common is the serve grunt, where a player’s body contracts and then expands in a quick motion, bringing an involuntary exhale.
But some players – both men and women – use the grunt as a tool of the trade, either to feel more power through an audible exhale, or to put an opponent off their game. Tennis players are very precious when it comes to sound, so it’s interesting that the majority of them accept that audible exhales are a part of the game.
It was somewhat ironic that during Nick Kyrgios’ loss the other night, the sound of music in the background was distracting him, while nearly every second shot he hit was followed by a loud grunt.
I attended the 2012 Australian Open women’s final, between Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, and I can tell you it was some soundtrack.
It is difficult to discuss this issue without mentioning Sharapova. If you were at the gym and someone next to you did a deadlift and then screamed like they had torn a ligament, you would be shocked, especially if they continued to deadlift and scream.
Would you just write it off as their weightlifting exhale? I don’t think so.
Seven commentator and tennis great Jim Courier described Roger Federer’s matches against Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin as “elegant”, not so much for the style of match, but due to the lack of grunts coming from all three players. Courier delighted in the spectacle of on-court skill, speckled with the occasional squeal of a hard court tennis shoe on plexicushion.
Federer himself often makes the serve grunt, so where do we draw the line on what is acceptable?
Except maybe a yearly editorial and commentary to make us all feel like we are addressing the issue, I don’t think there is much that can be done about it.
Some people find it a shame on the game, others care less. Just as certain playing styles and abilities are preferred by fans, so too are the players’ grunts. We can except some and find others less agreeable.
C’est la vie!
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