Michael Stich Hates Grunting, Says Wimbledon Women Only 'Sell Sex'

Grunting, for lack of a better word, in women's tennis doesn't bother me; it's an obvious sign of physical exertion and I may or may not find it attractive. But I'm not everyone, and I'm certainly not former Wimbledon champ Michael Stich, who appears fairly repulsed by the whole grunt thing.

Also, he firmly believes that the fine ladies who compete at Wimbledon are "just there to sell sex" which is why they should stop grunting (Honestly, Stich has to be the only one who somehow doesn't think Maria Sharapova's grunting is attractive in some aspect, right?)

The 40-year-old German said the noise detracted from the players' 'sex appeal'.

He said: 'Just play it back to the women. It sounds disgusting, ugly, unsexy!'

[...]'That's what they sell,' he told The Mail on Sunday. 'They want to look good, they pay attention to their looks and everything.'

So, Stich actually thinks that the women should sell sex and that by grunting they're hurting their image? Whaaaaa? Now, sexiness of grunting by women playing tennis aside, why the mess would Stich feel compelled to make these obviously sexist remarks to a national publication?

Does he need the attention? Is an anti-grunting campaign the staple of his Prime Minister platform in 2020? Or does he simply -- like many announcers and famous people -- have no sense of couth when it comes to discussing certain things publicly?

I'll go ahead and opt for "Option C." Although I would imagine that many of the women on tour might simply answer, "Go 'way!" One such is Serena Williams, who not only pointed out that sex does sell, but added that she's relatively unaware of how much grunting she does.

'I've never been one of the loudest grunters. I just play my game and sometimes I grunt and sometimes I don't.

'I'm not conscious when I'm doing it. I'm just zoned out. It doesn't really affect me if my opponent is [grunting].'

Harriett Foxwell of the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation had a (theoretically) similar vewpoint that took a different approach:

'Unfortunately, commentary about female tennis players isn't always about their skill on court,' she said.

'Our wish is that rather than talking about what they are wearing or the noises they make, they are judged on their professional performance.'

And here's where I'll also point out that not only should Stich just keep his mouth shut, but even if women were trying to sell sex (and I'm certainly not trying to say they are) who is this guy to insult someone for showing up to work and trying to look their best?

I take a shower and dress nicely for work (almost) every day, mainly because if I didn't show up at the office looking at least reasonably acceptable, I probably wouldn't have a job. Dressing well is in the inherent benefit of every single person with a job; if it wasn't, we'd have legions of unshowered folks manning our world's cubicles.

And besides, Stich is essentially destroying his own argument by creating some sort of weird redundant, Catch-22 in which women are hurting their "sexy factor" by grunting by running with the presumption that they're doing it on purpose. Well, either that or he doesn't know what he's talking about and should probably look into a new line of work.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

6-22-2009 @ 6:33AM

glod6 said...

A great telling opinion piece by a lefty. Terrible logic, heavy on emotion over commen sense and reality. The truth is, professional womens tennis players sell their ability and their sexual appeal. They are not just dressing up for work because it's what's expected of them.

They often make more money from endorsements, and like it or not, the ability to generate the endorsement money is more often based on sex appeal than ability SOMETIMES.

All the commentator was saying that indeed they are selling "sex", or their sex appeal. The grunting is a learned behavior and is much more frequent in the modern age. All the commentator was doing was pointing out the fact that the grunting distracts from their sex appeal to him. He did not insult anyone for showing up to work trying to look their best, one would have to be part of the liberal media to take what he said and fit it into their own warped mindset.

Also, I watch a fair amount of women's tennis and the commentators fall over backwards commentating on the women's playing style, abilities and stratigies all the time. Grow up now.

6-22-2009 @ 6:56AM

sbhappe34 said...

will you stay off here with your junk you are not keeping up it is dangerous

Kevin said...

This is no surpise. Women of the th WNBA are driven to be as unattractive as possible. The WNBA controls their right to sexual expression and to be a lady if they so choose.

6-22-2009 @ 7:02AM

papam11 said...

Exertion? I guess those that don't do it aren't exerting themselves, huh? Where was all the "exertion" in years gone by? It sounds as though instead of playing tennis, they're engaging in wild and crazy sex on the court. I think it's phony. That it's used to show off and to distract the opponent, which makes it dishonest in my book. If these players are more concerned about "endorsements" than winning, perhaps they should take the easy "be famous" route by pulling a "Kardashian", which is doing nothing more than jumping in front of every camera you can find to sell yourself, regardless of having "zip" for talent. It's being no more than "camera famous". It'd be much easier on their knees, but then again, maybe not.

6-22-2009 @ 7:04AM

cwa1082dhr said...

glod, the problem is, like you, Stitch was focused on their grunting and sex appeal and not their abilities and skill at tennis. That is wrong because, again, women are being objectified by men.

holder8341 said...

i think that women tennis players are hot hot hot,i love it when they grunt,groan,moan,and you gotta love those short skirts ummmmmm

6-22-2009 @ 7:08AM

Deb said...

stupid men. Not EVERYTHING is about sex.
I play tennis. You are hitting that ball with as much power as you can and that "grunt" happens. Yes, some women are louder than others. As far as the clothing....duh! It is sports and all sports have sponsors. You were what they give you.

6-22-2009 @ 10:49AM

adidasle said...

Then why don't men grunt? Do they not hit the ball as hard as they can too?

6-22-2009 @ 7:09AM

gre3386 said...

The horrendous grunting sounds now in vogue among women tennis players force me to think about someone with constipation desperately trying to deal with a horrifically difficult bowel movement. If I watch a women's tennis match, I have to mute the sound.

6-22-2009 @ 7:10AM

normde said...

Grunting, by men or women, is disgusting. It is taught to youngsters by their coaches to prove that they are breathing correctly, as in "I can't hear you!!"

6-22-2009 @ 7:14AM

sbourg said...

Will Brinson: Your editorial makes no sense. Most importantly, you're wrong to tell Stich to shut up. In fact, that's infantile. You contradicted yourself by quoting Serena saying the sex-appeal factor is important, because that's the first half of your argument against Stich's opinion. Then you fail to refute Stich's opinion that the constant, loud bursts of yelling are the opposite of what's appealing. We KNOW that the quality of women's tennis is terrific......and we KNOW they want to look their best and show off their femininity........but the loud noises are just pathetic. I have a hard time watching Sharapova with the sound on. Maybe it's not distracting to the other players, but it IS to many viewers. Period.

6-22-2009 @ 7:27AM

knotmeu said...

Women grunt for the same reason marial arts guys and weightlifters grunt, to try and focus power. And sure most make more money selling sporting apparel (and purfume) than actually playing tennis. Do you think Tiger Woods makes more money playing golf or from Nike? And do you think anyone in NASCAR could make any money with a straight one color paint job, and no stickers?

6-22-2009 @ 7:40AM

zigzigsputnik said...

yeah, and the clothes they wear playing basketball make them look sexy. wgaf? its a ball game.

6-22-2009 @ 7:44AM

warrenrunlong said...

What about all the MEN players who grunt? Once again, this is an attempt by an idiotic, shallow-minded, insecure male to downplay the athletic shills of women professional athletes, opting to focus on inconsequential, outdated mores. It's a classic case of intimidation and genuine fear that perhaps these women might possibly some day be just as, if not more, talented thaan their male counterparts! What then?!!??!

6-22-2009 @ 7:50AM

dsmirniotopoulos said...

This guy is an idiot. Women athletes don't train the way they do in order to exhibit sex-appeal on the court. Only a neaderthal would make such a comment. It's like saying sweating negatively impacts Kobe Bryant's sex appeal. I doubt he cares. If men continue to think this way, they will never leave their caves.

6-22-2009 @ 7:51AM

CoolRep said...

some women grunt, some scream, some coooo, some tremble and some yell OMG, it's all good lol

6-22-2009 @ 7:52AM

gramzca said...

It could be worse....they could be farting!

tmvvo said...

This is stupid. Making sounds IS sexy in it's own way. It just depends on the person's preferences. Why do some people make lots of noise during sexual activity while others don't. Sound can be arousing.

6-22-2009 @ 7:53AM

wtilton67 said...

cwa1082dhr - - - Ahhhhh Whaaat!

6-22-2009 @ 7:59AM

kyhlhll566445 said...

Hmmm. That's funny. I thought they were wearing tanks & miniskirts for the heat, exertion and easy movement. Typical of men, to sexualize womens' sports. Then again most women won't admit that they watch football and baseball to look at the cuter players and the tight pants. Not to mention that in football the mens' grunting is dubbed out. You can't run, jump, get tackled, etc., without making some noise. I'd like to hear those noises.