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Tennis: Screams, howls and grunts at ear-splitting decibels!

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posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 06:10 PM
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Last year, during the World Football Cup in SA, the world complained much about our vuvuzelas' noisy droning during matches.
However, when watching tennis tournaments, such as Wimbledon, or simply having the sound on in pubs or at home, the orgasmic yelps of the players leave one bemused at first, but totally irritated and bewildered eventually.
Shouldn't this be banned, or at least controlled?

Occasionally it seems there have been previous debates about this, even calls for point deductions and banning.
Strangely, the stiff-upper lip British largely allow the exhibitionist howls of exertion as if they were nothing out of the ordinary.
The Australians were less tolerant, and openly shouted "shut up" at Maria Sharapova during her match against Li Na during the 2005 Australian Open.
In 2009 actions against the "barbaric battle cries" were considered, especially as Maria Sharapova's high pitched mews reached 101 decibels!
tvnz.co.nz...
However, it seems nobody could really consistently judge whether the screams were made to distract the opposition, or were simply part of powerfully hitting the ball, and effective breathing techniques.

On many Youtube commentaries people are at each other's throats over the divisive issue.
Some see it as an unnecessary and calculated distraction.
It would be childish not to add that some regard it as downright auditory pornography.
I think it keeps tennis slightly interesting for non-sporty people.
However, I think it was unfair to moan about our vuvuzelas, when this screaming is common in tennis.



I think some players are OK, but it really is an issue for others like Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova.
Why is it mainly the women, or is it more of a sexist issue for society when women howl like that?
Who are the main offenders?
Surely the issue didn't start recently.

Are these the kind of yells we should practice to stun the opposition in a SHTF situation?
One of those Sharapova yelps could certainly temporarily freeze most men.
They're some kind of secret weapon.
edit on 1-7-2011 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 06:22 PM
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They are calling for a ban on grunting? Really?

Get a life and try to play a sport at a professional level! If these athletes say that it aids in the power of their swing, then that's what it is. If it's meant as a distraction to the other player, it's a competition! All is fair.

Ask any Martial Arts Pro. It has been proven that a vocal exhalation of air actually aids in power of delivery and in psyching out the opponent. It's sports.

Ridiculous.



posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 06:23 PM
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This Australian story from 2008 was also taking things too far.
A girl with Attention Deficit Disorder was banned from a tennis competition for "grunting" too loudly.
Shame on ya Aussies!


edit on 1-7-2011 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 06:24 PM
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My daugher and I were laughing to the point of tears at the crazy grunts!

Good stuff, right there!



posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 06:44 PM
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The Wimbledon "screamer" in 2009: Michelle Larcher de Brito.
What is interesting is that the high-pitched scream is returned by her opponent (with a low pitched grunt) and the two seem to reach an almost musical rhythmic display.
I think in that case it is sporting, because it seems to help both of their rhythmic onslaughts.
I'm surprised that nobody has put this to music.

edit on 1-7-2011 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 07:11 PM
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reply to post by halfoldman
 


Us stiff upper-lipped Brits - You got us. Of course we allow it, think about it:

We figure its damn good entertainment you want to show off your orgasmic moaning in the middle of a tennis court in front of an audience. We certainly wouldn't stop you.

If you make some stupid dumb noise its easier for the player blinded by our brilliant sunlight to strike you with the ball on the return. We love a drama.

If you get on the tits of the other player, we might even get a fight so its double the entertainment and

We are either too busy stuffing our faces with strawberries and chocolates or laughing too much at you to stop you..

Welcome to Britain we're tolerant just for your sake.




posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 07:25 PM
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reply to post by Lynda101
 

How delightfully sporting and gracious!

Yes, you give us the tools like sports and post-colonial countries, and then you watch as we embarrass ourselves with them.

Excellent thinking, I think I'll jolly well join you then.

edit on 1-7-2011 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 1 2011 @ 07:50 PM
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Sport's correspondent Elie Seckbach suggests in a 2009 interview with tennis players on "the grunt" that it serves no scientific purpose, and some of the best like Nadal or Federer don't grunt at all.
Even for Karate it is the wrong kind of grunt, which is more like a focused sigh.
Rather disappointingly it ends with a comparison between tennis and golf.
As for the grunts: the players say it doesn't bother them, but there is a sense that it's done for attention.
At least that's the opinion of the non-grunters; those who do grunt don't really comment.



posted on Jul, 2 2011 @ 12:39 AM
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OK, it's not just the ladies, although they triumph as far as the 110 decibels go.
Some male tennis grunting.


I fear that soon we may have tennis grunting competitions without any tennis.
Get your kit on, grab your air-racket, and GRUNT!
edit on 2-7-2011 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 2 2011 @ 02:14 AM
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I wonder what aliens think we are doing when they see tennis?



posted on Jul, 2 2011 @ 04:10 AM
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The thing about women's tennis is that it's rubbish. From a purely sporting perspective, it's absolutely terrible.

Although they wouldn't openly admit it, the organisers know the big draw-card of the women's game is that it's practically soft-core porn. They certainly won't discourage grunting and screaming. Maria Sharapova sounds like she's having an orgasm every time she hits the ball; don't tell me that's not a ratings winner.

While some degree of noise is only natural at times of physical exertion, the main reason for this over-the-top shrieking and grunting is gamesmanship. It's a psychological ploy which is used to create the intimidating impression that the shots are hit more powerfully and fearsomely. A bit like a warrior shouting a war-cry as he charges into battle !

I'm not a fan of that kind of tactic, but it would be impossible to put a limit on the noise that players make, as who would decide whether the sound was the legitimate result of physical strain or a deliberate attempt to psych out their opponent ?


Oh yeah, I like vuvuzelas. [atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c2b94193b76f.gif[/atsimg]




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