Tennis is one of the noisiest sports around, and players grunting whilst playing shots has been a facet of the game for decades. But do some take it too far?
Tennis is one of the noisiest sports around, and players grunting whilst playing shots has been a facet of the game for decades. But do some take it too far?
GLYN KIRK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Maria Sharapova has one of the loudest grunts in the game. Measured at 101 decibels, it's roughly the same volume as a jet plane taking off. The Russian, who recently her return from a 15-month drugs ban, has, along with other female players, received criticism for the length and volume of her grunt. Sharapova wasn't given a wild card for the French Open, but has said she is going to play in the Wimbledon qualifiers as she attempts to compete in the season's next grand slam.
Maria Sharapova has one of the loudest grunts in the game. Measured at 101 decibels, it's roughly the same volume as a jet plane taking off. The Russian, who recently her return from a 15-month drugs ban, has, along with other female players, received criticism for the length and volume of her grunt. Sharapova wasn't given a wild card for the French Open, but has said she is going to play in the Wimbledon qualifiers as she attempts to compete in the season's next grand slam.
Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Alan Jones, a British coach who widely endorses grunting as a way to generate shot power, tells CNN that excessive grunters -- among whom he lists Sharapova and three-time grand slam winner Tracy Austin (pictured) -- aren't "co-ordinating [shot and grunt] for the right reasons ... once the ball has left, there is no sense of value."
Alan Jones, a British coach who widely endorses grunting as a way to generate shot power, tells CNN that excessive grunters -- among whom he lists Sharapova and three-time grand slam winner Tracy Austin (pictured) -- aren't "co-ordinating [shot and grunt] for the right reasons ... once the ball has left, there is no sense of value."
Graham Morris/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Eight-time major winner Jimmy Connors, however, balanced the two "brilliantly," says Jones. "He used to coordinate his power shots to his grunts beautifully."
Eight-time major winner Jimmy Connors, however, balanced the two "brilliantly," says Jones. "He used to coordinate his power shots to his grunts beautifully."
Getty Images/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Inspired by martial artists and boxers, Jones encouraged Jo Durie, a former British player who reached a career-high of No. 5 in the world rankings, to "make lots of noise through impact."
Inspired by martial artists and boxers, Jones encouraged Jo Durie, a former British player who reached a career-high of No. 5 in the world rankings, to "make lots of noise through impact."
Michael Cooper/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal is one of the most notorious grunters in the men's game. He has a style that insists he "works very hard," Jones explains. "Rafa's noise isn't just about the strike, it's the fight within."
Rafael Nadal is one of the most notorious grunters in the men's game. He has a style that insists he "works very hard," Jones explains. "Rafa's noise isn't just about the strike, it's the fight within."
Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
One of the all-time tennis greats, Martina Navratilova, famously dubbed excessive grunting as<a target="_blank" target="_blank"> "cheating,"</a> citing Roger Federer as a counter-example of a successful player who keeps schtum on the court.
One of the all-time tennis greats, Martina Navratilova, famously dubbed excessive grunting as "cheating," citing Roger Federer as a counter-example of a successful player who keeps schtum on the court.
Simon Bruty/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Both male and female grunters have been criticized in the past. Amanda Owens, a prominent sport psychologist who has worked with Britain's Davis Cup team, said Argentine Martin Del Potro's grunts hampered Andy Murray when the pair met last year. The Scot "couldn't hear whether the ball was being called out or not," Owens told CNN.
Both male and female grunters have been criticized in the past. Amanda Owens, a prominent sport psychologist who has worked with Britain's Davis Cup team, said Argentine Martin Del Potro's grunts hampered Andy Murray when the pair met last year. The Scot "couldn't hear whether the ball was being called out or not," Owens told CNN.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Eight-time grand slam champion Andre Agassi was famously rebuked by fellow player Ivan Lendl for his in-game sound effects.
Eight-time grand slam champion Andre Agassi was famously rebuked by fellow player Ivan Lendl for his in-game sound effects.
Bongarts/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, a double winner of the Australian Open, is one of the most-criticized in the game when it comes to noise levels. Owens distinguishes between grunting and shrieking: "There is no reason why it should be screeching," she says, referring to Azarenka. "One can't focus or concentrate ... It's disturbing the game."
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, a double winner of the Australian Open, is one of the most-criticized in the game when it comes to noise levels. Owens distinguishes between grunting and shrieking: "There is no reason why it should be screeching," she says, referring to Azarenka. "One can't focus or concentrate ... It's disturbing the game."
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images