Don't forget Ilie Năstase.
Posted on 02/27/2008 3:41:27 AM PST by SkyPilot
Edited on 02/27/2008 8:09:32 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
A 9-year-old tennis player who grunts like her idol, Maria Sharapova, when she's playing has been kicked out of a tennis club in Australia.
The Melbourne Herald-Sun reports (via Sports by Brooks) that the girl, Lauryn Edwards, was told that she could no longer play at the Mt Carmel Tennis Club in Sunbury because an opposing player complained that "the grunting had become too much." Lauryn's father explains his daughter's grunt and the response to it:
"It's pretty slight and now and again she hits it hard and makes a loud noise and that's it," he said.
"From just one comment, this has all blown up stupidly.
"There's no rule against it, so they've made a rule against it."
Some people may find it annoying, but the fact is that grunting has become a part of tennis, especially women's tennis. Sharapova's grunts have been estimated at about 100 decibels, and if her opponents can tolerate it, so can Lauryn's.
Yes, she is pretty, and NO I don't get any jollies out of watching her scream like a child with every baseline shot.
Seles did the same thing. She wasn't as pretty, so people came after her about it more. Sharapova gets away with far less criticism.
No, they shouldn't have banned the 9 year old, but can we have a little decorum in the game?
Good for the club. Grunting is rude. Tennis should not be rude.
I don't have the Australian rule-book in front of me, but I would bet you dollars to donuts there is something in there about intentionally distracting your opponent. For instance, you are not allowed to yell when he is trying to serve. I would think this excessive grunting would fall under that rule.
Tennis got "gooned up" years ago, with the on-court antics of Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Golf is well along the path of a similar gooning up (e.g., 16th hole at the Phoenix Open).
There are no more "gentlemen's games" because there are no longer any gentlemen.
Set & match.
Don't forget Ilie Năstase.
Which, of course, means they just made a rule against it. Rules can be changed to the betterment of a sport. Live with it.
I wish they would make Maria stop. What a great match it was in the semis when Ivanovic played Hantuchova. No screaming
At the age of nine, this young lady can be reformed. I would wager to say that if she stops grunting, the club will welcome her back with open arms.
Grunting masks that sound.
Can you refresh my memory? I agree golf has gotten rowdier.
Note here how the girl’s father, rather than taking criticism manfully, is making all kinds of excuses and saying that rather than requiring him to correct his daughter’s behavior, the club should accept her misbehavior.
This is a typical response from modern parents, and is absolutely corrosive to discipline or the maintenance of a civil environment, particularly in schools. Every parent starts with an assumption that their PLS (Precious Little Snowflake) can do no wrong, and that any discipline problem must fault of the school.
Part of the problem was that McEnroe and Connors were both very good players. If they had stunk, nobody would tolerate that nonsense.
On the plus side, Roger Federer has now pretty much established himself as the greatest player of the modern era -- and he carries himself as the perfect gentleman on and (as far as I know) off the court . . . which apparently is a surprise because he used to be quite a jerk in his younger days.
Seles was 10 times the player Sharapova is, IMHO.
Grunting in Tennis is very beneficial to your power. Sort of like in Karate demonstrations how they give a deep, powerful ‘Kaaaayaaaah!’ when breaking a stack of bricks. It’s function before fashion.
About the Phoenix Open?
The 16th hole at the Scottsdale TPC is an ampitheater, surrounded by packed stands on tournament days. A bunch of rowdy ASU students (and alumni) sit around and drink beer for 10 hours. As each player comes up to the tee, they hoot, holler, yell, scream and make a noise to wake heaven. Each good shot is rewarded with cheers, but God help you if you miss the green -- it's the only venue on the tour where a player will be booed and cursed.
Tasteless and tacky. The direction professional golf is headed, unfortunately.
Hmph!
The rule was changed to accommodate the "swinging" leg, leaps into the court, ... etc.
"Big Bill" was saddended.
The kid must have one hell of a PR Agent.
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