I'm not clear here...Is that wrong?
Posted on 06/21/2009 11:13:48 AM PDT by Steelfish
Wimbledon girls are 'just there to sell sex', says BBC pundit Michael Stich
By MARK RYAN and JAMES MILBANK 21st June 2009
As a former Wimbledon champion, Michael Stich might be expected to have an expert appreciation for the skill and dedication required to play tennis at its highest level.
But on the eve of this year’s tournament, the BBC Radio 5 Live commentator has caused outrage among the sport’s female stars by claiming their role is as much about ‘selling sex’ on court as it is about their sporting prowess.
Stich, the 1991 men’s singles champion, made his politically incorrect comments last night as he waded into the argument over the loud grunting of many of the game’s top women.
Enlarge [Pic in URL] Looks and talent: Russian tennis star and swimwear model Maria Kirilenko takes part in her sixth Wimbledon this week
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!’
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The lovely pics tell the story!
and somehow this is news?
I think the women are just upset somebody spoke the obvious truth.
like women’s basketball? (or is that womyn’s?)
that has no sex appeal and so has no ratings.
YIKES.
I didn't know John Denver was a tennis player.
I love tennis but watch with the sound off if any “grunters” are playing.
Are you talking about THIS picture?
Awwww you had to introduce the Anti- Viagra....
He said: ‘Just play it back to the women. It sounds disgusting, ugly, unsexy!’
What gets me about the grunting is that it is, IMHO, counterproductive. I don't know what it is that these players were taught the grunting does to help them; if it has any benefit making a loud sound when you make contact, why don't other elite athletes scream? Does Tiger go "Hharrhgh!" when he hits a tee shot? Does Ryan Howard go "Aaarrhee!" when he swings for the fences?
Also, it actually saps energy they need late in matches. If you've ever had an illness that causes loud sneezing or coughing fits, you know how tiring it is to cause that much sound to come out of your body. I'll never forget watching Maria Sharapova as she ran out of gas in a tiebreaker in a three-set match. She could barely get the grunts out, and I thought, "I'll bet she wishes she had stopped earlier in the match!"
BTW, I hadn't thought about Michael Stich since...well, since he won. He's a one-hit wonder, the Slim Whitman of tennis.
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