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**Honealals** · 06-15-2009, 02:30 AM

Notorious grunters put on notice
By Leo Schlink

June 15, 2009 12:00am

NOTORIOUS tennis grunters have been put on notice on the eve of Wimbledon. Stung into action by Martina Navratilova's call for grunting to be declared a form of cheating, the International Tennis Federation is poised to crack down.

The ITF is now considering broadening the measures officials can take in penalising screeching repeat offenders such as Maria Sharapova.

Umpires already have the power to award a point against grunting players if they are assessed to have hindered their opponents.

But now the ITF is weighing up whether to include "noise hindrance" in its code of conduct.

Under the new rule, persistent offenders could be defaulted from a match under a penalty scale which, at first, calls for the docking of points and then games.

Navratilova, winner of a record nine Wimbledon singles crowns, will be delighted if the new rule is mandated.

"I see too many issues that are potentially harmful to the future of the game," she said last week. "Top of the list is grunting, screeching, shrieking, whatever you want to call it. I call it cheating and it's got to stop."

The issue came to a head during the first week of the French Open when Michelle Larcher de Brito argued bitterly with officials over the amount of noise she was making. The Portuguese teenager was warned for her piercing screams and their length.

"The noise extends into the hitting preparation time of her opponent and that creates problems," the ITF's Bill Babcock said.

"The events at Roland Garros have heightened the issue."

Former world No. 1 Sharapova is one of the worst grunters, occasionally topping 100 decibels.

Monica Seles's screech was measured to reach 93 decibels at Wimbledon in 1992. Venus and Serena Williams have hit 90 decibels.

Several male players have also been criticised for the habit.

In 1988, Ivan Lendl complained about Andre Agassi making too much noise when they came up against each other in the US Open.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001023,00.html

06-15-2009, 02:30 AM	#1
Honealals Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 440 Senior Member	ITF Looking To Crack Down On Grunting Notorious grunters put on notice By Leo Schlink June 15, 2009 12:00am NOTORIOUS tennis grunters have been put on notice on the eve of Wimbledon. Stung into action by Martina Navratilova's call for grunting to be declared a form of cheating, the International Tennis Federation is poised to crack down. The ITF is now considering broadening the measures officials can take in penalising screeching repeat offenders such as Maria Sharapova. Umpires already have the power to award a point against grunting players if they are assessed to have hindered their opponents. But now the ITF is weighing up whether to include "noise hindrance" in its code of conduct. Under the new rule, persistent offenders could be defaulted from a match under a penalty scale which, at first, calls for the docking of points and then games. Navratilova, winner of a record nine Wimbledon singles crowns, will be delighted if the new rule is mandated. "I see too many issues that are potentially harmful to the future of the game," she said last week. "Top of the list is grunting, screeching, shrieking, whatever you want to call it. I call it cheating and it's got to stop." The issue came to a head during the first week of the French Open when Michelle Larcher de Brito argued bitterly with officials over the amount of noise she was making. The Portuguese teenager was warned for her piercing screams and their length. "The noise extends into the hitting preparation time of her opponent and that creates problems," the ITF's Bill Babcock said. "The events at Roland Garros have heightened the issue." Former world No. 1 Sharapova is one of the worst grunters, occasionally topping 100 decibels. Monica Seles's screech was measured to reach 93 decibels at Wimbledon in 1992. Venus and Serena Williams have hit 90 decibels. Several male players have also been criticised for the habit. In 1988, Ivan Lendl complained about Andre Agassi making too much noise when they came up against each other in the US Open. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001023,00.html
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