Accepting the Grunting
Written by: Erin Frauenhofer on 31st May 2011
As the French Open heats up and more people tune in to the thrilling battles taking place at Roland Garros, some tennis fans inevitably complain about the constant grunting that they hear throughout the matches. What’s up with the grunting? they ask. Can’t they just be quiet? Although many of us would prefer to watch matches without listening to the assortment of sounds coming from the players—if it were up to us—the fact of the matter is that we are not the ones out on court and it is not our decision to make. For many players, the grunts are an involuntary and sometimes even vital part of their game, and as such, we should accept the grunting with more understanding.
Some players say that the grunt serves as an auditory cue or timing mechanism to help them to maintain a rhythm in their groundstrokes. Others believe that the grunt releases pent-up energy that would normally cause the body to tighten up, and the pitch of the sound varies because people’s voices are different and what is natural for one person may not be natural for another. Whatever the reason may be, for many players, the grunting has become such an integral part of their game that attempting to stop could end up hindering their playing.
On the other hand, some in the tennis world believe that the grunting has gone too far and ultimately serves as a considerable distraction from the game itself. In a June 2009 article in The Sunday Times, tennis legend Martina Navratilova voiced her displeasure about the grunting, going so far as to call it “cheating.” For it is true that at times, the grunting can descend into screaming, so loud that it seems incredible for an opponent to maintain concentration. In 2005, for example, Maria Sharapova recorded a grunt that surpassed 101 decibels; for comparison’s sake, some jackhammers and motorcycles produce 100 decibels of sound.
But the problem with outlawing grunting is where and how to draw the line. Do we measure decibels and warn players when they cross a certain threshold? Would it be left to the discretion of the chair umpires? What happens to those players who simply cannot help themselves?
After all, when the players hit the ball with as much force as they do, it is natural for a release of breath to occur, and for many, grunting is nothing more than an involuntary response. No one is intentionally shrieking as their opponent prepares to serve; the grunting is a physical response for some players as they expend effort when striking the ball.
The fact of the matter is that tennis, especially at the top level, is a strenuous sport that requires significant energy. Sure, there may be little need for recreational players to holler as they strike the ball, but at the top level, it should be acceptable for players to do what feels natural to them.
We want to hear what you think! Does the grunting drive you crazy? Or do you agree that we should be more understanding of it?
Sound off in the comments below!
