Grunting to Be Banned From Tennis?

Canada’s National Post is reporting that tennis players may be forced to stop grunting.  Apparently, the International Tennis Federation is weighing the possibility of banning the sound and anyone who continues to grunt could be forced to forfeit a game or even a whole match.  ITF executive director, Bill Babcock, explained: s into the hitting preparation time of her opponent and that creates problems. The events at Roland Garros have heightened the issue.”

As of this moment, players can complain if they are getting distracted by the noise their opponent is making and the umpire can also make a decision about whether the sound is acceptable.

I will admit that I have found the sound entertaining but I never thought of it beyond that.  However, the article points out that Maria Sharapova is the loudest grunter at 101 decibels and I had no idea it was that loud.  When I looked up some videos, I began to see the logic in this possible ban.

Sixteen-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito was the recipient of some complaints that the French Open. Here’s a video from December 2008 in Montreal.

Since I read that Sharapova is the loudest, I had to look up some footage.  I found one of her and Venus Williams squaring off and it seriously is very hard not to laugh.