Video: Comparing Serena’s ‘come on!” to Sharapova’s grunting
Eva Asderaki was correct to call hindrance on Serena Williams during the 2011 U.S. Open final. We can't help but wonder; if yelling "come on" during the middle of the point is labeled as a distraction, why doesn't grunting fall under the same rule?
Listen to how long Maria Sharapova's grunts last during this point of her first-round U.S. Open match against Heather Watson:
Sharapova's grunt off her serve goes on as Watson hits her return. There were other points during the match where her shrieks did the same thing.
Now listen to Serena's "come on." It ends earlier in her opponent's backswing than Sharapova's grunt:
The argument is that grunting, because of its consistent, repeated sound, is like ambient noise. Yelling carelessly in the middle of a point is a distraction and, thus, more disruptive. It's the same concept that allows Roy Halladay to throw a fastball over a 1/4-inch section of the plate while 44,000 people scream at the top of their lungs but Tiger Woods can't hit a golf shot if he hears one camera clicking behind him.
Nonsense. Just because grunting is a continued nuisance doesn't make it any more valid than a stray "come on." Neither should be allowed in tennis.
Listen to how long Maria Sharapova's grunts last during this point of her first-round U.S. Open match against Heather Watson:
Sharapova's grunt off her serve goes on as Watson hits her return. There were other points during the match where her shrieks did the same thing.
Now listen to Serena's "come on." It ends earlier in her opponent's backswing than Sharapova's grunt:
The argument is that grunting, because of its consistent, repeated sound, is like ambient noise. Yelling carelessly in the middle of a point is a distraction and, thus, more disruptive. It's the same concept that allows Roy Halladay to throw a fastball over a 1/4-inch section of the plate while 44,000 people scream at the top of their lungs but Tiger Woods can't hit a golf shot if he hears one camera clicking behind him.
Nonsense. Just because grunting is a continued nuisance doesn't make it any more valid than a stray "come on." Neither should be allowed in tennis.
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