Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge AKA Tennis

[Bob38S]

It used to be only one player, gradually there were more, now it seems to be as though you aren't trying unless you Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge for every shot, doesn't matter whether it is hard or soft.

Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge AKA Tennis is almost over - I 'm one of those who used to sit up late at night and would watch a lot of tennis - I've tried watching with the sound off or turned very low but it is not quite the same - I can't do like the cricket, TV - sound Off - picture On ~ Radio - sound on, as the the Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge can be heard above all else.

Reminds me a little of Bill Cosby and one of his tales about every kid on a bike or cart who had his own "music" to drive by.

Is it just me? In most cases the Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge seems to be an attempt to attention seek, psych out, upset, provoke or intimidate the opponent rather than just exertion.

I interpret this behaviour as unsportsman/woman behaviour and feel that it should be limited. I can understand that there could be a time when it could happen but not on every [hard or soft] shot - they way many of the players of today carry on in this way is quite pathetic, their skills are fantastic as is their athleticism so why add this other totally unnecessary element of Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge.

Thanks - I feel better now

[Alastair]

Must say it was one of the things I was enjoying about the Dokic/ Safina game, (at least in the early stages!

In her previous game, (the bird in the red dress), I am sure it was deliberate, and specifically timed....... each time she returned a tight shot, I thought the linesman had called "out" or "fault"

go figure!

[Waldo]

If I were the opponent to one of the grunts it'd really ping me off having to listen to it for 3 hours or so. Having to hear it while watching it on the box is a turn-off, and it's like a silent movie with it turned off. About time it got stomped on, like so many other issues, not least for a 3rd year having the Croatian/Bosnian playing off against each other - you can't tell me it's randomly picked out of a hat, not with this being the 3rd time it's happened.

[corbs]

I am pretty sure the opponent is allowed to complain if the person they are playing against is making noises which are distracting them. Problem is, no one wants to upset the apple cart. I don't mind the grunt but the squeal some of the women have after every shot isn't great.

Can't remember who I was watching the other night (think it was Dokic V's Safina?). Safina was quiet for the first set then when she got behind the 8 ball in the second she started getting louder and louder. Anyone who claims its not a deliberate tactic on the court is kidding themselves, but with the money they are playing for... if it works and no one stops them?

[AlexS]

Read a report in New Scientist a while back. Someone did some stats on the win/loss ratios for points with & without audible grunting, for individual players. In the study, there was a small but significant advantage if they didn't grunt.
One interpretation of this is that they only grunt when they're in trouble. Another is that its a waste of time.

[Gingermick]

Federer v Roddick last night and the only groans were from the crowd. It was pleasant

[Bob38S]

Last night's tennis was indeed a class act.

Two very talented athletes played hard and fair against each other - what an absolute pleasure to see that neither needed to resort to the tactics of Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge.

[Steve Fryar]

I turn the sound off too as it p**ses me off as well.But given the current heatwave and what I have seen on court in the womens,Russia is starting to actually look attractive,much like 90% of their tennis playing women.

[Alastair]

Last night's tennis was indeed a class act.

Two very talented athletes played hard and fair against each other - what an absolute pleasure to see that neither needed to resort to the tactics of Grunt, Groan, Whine & Whinge.

I take it you refer to the Cash/ Willander match?

That was also good value!

[Lignin]

That was a far more enjoyable spectacle than the Grun/Groan and
Shriek brigade.

[pugwash]

And when (and why) did they start getting THREE balls, choosing two (using what criteria?) and chucking one back?
I'm sorry, I'm not sure that is even a proper sentence, but you get the idea.
Some bloke in one of the earlier rounds had FOUR balls he was choosing from.
The girls dont seem to do this. Maybe their hands aren't big enough.

[corbs]

Players have always picked balls, when I was playing if I was serving to someone who had a bit of power then I would grab a ball that was a bit flatter or if I wanted to hit harder then I would go for the harder ball. Tennis players have a few quirks... one of mine was if I served an ace then the next serve was with the same ball, or if I served a fault it was the last ball I grabbed. The girls will pick them too.

[Wongo]

Grunting is a waste of energy, sound energy.

[Bob38S]

I take it you refer to the Cash/ Willander match?

That was also good value!

Actually it was the Federer/Roddick match I was referring to but I also did enjoy the Legends match as well especially the result .

Speaking of the ball habits and quirks above - it would be hard not to notice that # 1 needs new "grundies" as the old ones appear to need removing before each serve

[tea lady]

Read a report in New Scientist a while back. Someone did some stats on the win/loss ratios for points with & without audible grunting, for individual players. In the study, there was a small but significant advantage if they didn't grunt.
One interpretation of this is that they only grunt when they're in trouble. Another is that its a waste of time.

That's the impression I have. When your oponent starts grunting I reckon you'de know you had 'em. (Tennis players prolly don;t rread new scientist though. ) And if they were trying to do it deliberately I would have thought that would use up brain space that should be other wise engaged. I hate those ridiculous truimfant hells they all seem to do. I it all seems so false. Its like watching very bad soap opera acting.