Chris Evert Calls 'Grunting' in Female Tennis Both 'Shrill' and 'Distracting'

Is there anything hotter than complaining about grunting in women's tennis right now? First you have Michael Stich complaining because the "grunting" is "unsexy" and now we get to listen to Chris Evert complain in a similar fashion for a different reason.

See, Evert doesn't care for grunting, and even seems to imply, in some recent quotes, that she may or may not think that the noises are being used in a purposeful and distracting manner.

"Grunting is one thing but the shrill sound that you hear with players nowadays, and especially they get louder when they hit a winner, that's the thing that I observe as a player," the former world No. 1 told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

[...] "It is distracting when you are hearing this and I think the grunts are getting louder and more shrill now with the current players," she said.

"The next time you watch say a Maria Sharapova -- the grunting is consistent but all of a sudden when she has a set up to hit a winner.

In other words, Evert would prefer not to say that players are making the loud noises on purpose in order to make their shot more effective, but that seems to only be the case (her remaining quiet) if they'll ease up on it.

Obviously, Evert's not the first person to complain about the grunting -- Martina Navratilova also panned the noises -- and because she's a former tennis great, her opinion carries a lot more weight than, say, someone like Stich, who appears to be mentioning it just for the shock value.

But at the same time, I think it's at least worth mentioning that many of these young girls grew up watching women like Sharapova, who always grunted, and maybe that affected the way in which they practiced and played during youth tournaments. Long story short, there's little chance that the grunting is going to be regulated unless things get so out of hand that the WTA is forced to step in. So, for now, let's all just move on, please. Thanks.

Maria Sharapova Photos

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns the ball to Gisela Dulko of Argentina during their match at the Wimbledon tennis championships, in London June 24, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT TENNIS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Reuters

Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a return to Gisela Dulko of Argentina during their second round singles match at Wimbledon, Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Princess Michael of Kent watch Maria Sharapova of Russia plays Gisela Dulko of Argentina in their second round singles match at Wimbledon, Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Former Australian rugby union player Michael Lynagh (Centre) watches a game between Russia's Maria Sharapova and Argentina's Gisela Dulko on Centre Court at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

British television entertainer Bruce Forsyth (Top L) and former Australian rugby union player Michael Lynagh (Bottom R) watch a game between Russia's Maria Sharapova and Argentina's Gisela Dulko on Centre Court at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

British television entertainer Bruce Forsyth (L) watches a game between Russia's Maria Sharapova and Argentina's Gisela Dulko on Centre Court at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Argentina's Gisela Dulko plays against Russia's Maria Sharapova at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Russia's Maria Sharapova gestures as she plays against Argentina's Gisela Dulko at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Argentina's Gisela Dulko celebrates after beating Russia's Maria Sharapova at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-30-2009 @ 2:48AM

lonniebathke said...

Will Brinson,

No, let's not , "just move on".

When prominent people, ie- Chris Evert, speak out, do you always get that "stick your head in the sand" urge?

Why don't you try "resposibility"?

6-30-2009 @ 8:10AM

shane said...

yea, that,s right, lets not just move on, i cannot stand the grunting, it is just to much, i stopped watching ladies tennis because of it, why don't they play, give it hell and shut the fuck up?

6-30-2009 @ 8:51AM

Pasko said...

Most female tennis players are leso's.

6-30-2009 @ 9:16AM

robbfowler said...

I'm glad Evert said this. And Stich, who was a pretty good player and not a nobody, was right - it's not sexy. Grunting when you made some extra effort is fine, but obviously you don't give 110% on every freaking shot. Seles' grunt was the worst. Think she started it.

6-30-2009 @ 9:43AM

phenry617 said...

Why not just make a rule banning loud grunting? They have done this on some college circuits. I would propose the following penalties: First two times warning, subsequent times point penalty. Players would learn very quickly not to grunt!

6-30-2009 @ 11:25AM

forlivingoutloud said...

When the grunts get to be too much... I just turn down the volume... crank the stereo... who needs the blow by blow, or should I say, hit by hit comments from the peanut gallery? Just watch the game...Aside from John Macenroe, who are these people anyway?

6-30-2009 @ 12:05PM

griffsyn said...

Hey at least it got women's tennis talked about.

6-30-2009 @ 12:21PM

paul said...

OF COURSE the shrieking is meant to distract. There is nothing inherent in tennis that would cause anyone to do that naturally. It is taught and used as a technique to distract. Some of these chicks are still shrieking from their own shot when their opponent is striking the ball on the the other side! There are rules of etiquette in tennis, I don't understand why this is allowed.

6-30-2009 @ 12:25PM

FLOW said...

Hell, as boring as women's tennis is, I think the grunting is sexy Far as I'm concerned they can add a little moaning, groaning screaming and it would be all good.

6-30-2009 @ 1:04PM

mailguy2723 said...

simple solution is when you play a grunter or shrieker just as they get ready to serve do your own shriek if she gets distracted - touche'

6-30-2009 @ 1:27PM

ROSCAVED said...

Women should do the grunting WITH THEIR RACKETS, not their mouths.

http://www.christconnection.net

6-30-2009 @ 1:41PM

e6pro said...

I don't want to hear it. I don't watch tennis because of it. There is not reason for to grunt. They never grunted before.

6-30-2009 @ 1:46PM

ajackson7738 said...

Grunt on ladies and don't listen to these former has beens. Their old and their antiquated way of playing is over. Move on, don't attend matches and don't watch it on TV. You do have a choice. There are a lot of more important issues than these beautiful women grunting during a tennis match. Grunt on ladies if that's what you want to do.

6-30-2009 @ 1:47PM

Jesse said...

Seriously, who cares if they grunt until they crap themselves? It's not really a big deal. Maybe they should have a yearly grunt-off to find out whose the loudest. Now THAT might actually make tennis worth watching. I hope somebody makes a grunt mix video and posts it on youtube.

6-30-2009 @ 1:58PM

Talk about boring you every watch women's basketball or soccer. I rather watch grass grow.

6-30-2009 @ 2:54PM

Kevin said...

Please,after many years of Tennis team and local tourny's I can tell you the "Grunt" is purely for effect. no more power, no more success. it is a learned habit.

6-30-2009 @ 3:17PM

vstlvlvaccaro said...

It's annoying .... and unnecessary ...... and not sexy ....... A true "WTF" moment ........

6-30-2009 @ 3:26PM

papam11 said...

I think it's about time the WTA steps in and puts a stop to the phony grunts, groans and screams. Tennis should be a game based on etiquette, as is golf, and I don't think that includes sounds that make a tennis match out to sound like a wild orgy. I won't watch it anymore.

7-01-2009 @ 9:45PM

safee45 said...

White players do the most grunting and win the least majors!

7-02-2009 @ 1:36AM

Nic Nak said...

GET OVER IT!!! Who cares what Chris Evert, any other "legend", fans, or critics say? Are any of you out there playing? Are any of you playing aganist these people? When CURRENT players start really complaining, that's when some kind of action should be taken. Until then, YES, lets move on. Not to mention, players are hitting A LOT harder these days than when Evert and Martina were playing. How many players back then could hit a 100mph serve? How many can now? Who cares if you people find it sexy or not? I'm sure if they cared, they would have stopped a long time ago. Obviously they decided to put their game before you finding them sexy! I can't figure out why tennis players and fans think the players need so much quiet. If you are focused, you should be able to concentrate. Every other sport, besides golf,has thousands of fans cheering and requres JUST AS MUCH concentration. I find it funny that no one ever mentions those horrible sounds the men make. Nadal making that uhhhhhhhhh sound at every shot!