Since Monica Seles flew up the world tennis rankings, more and more women have joined the grunting ranks of the WTA, sending loud shrieks into the stands as they hit the tennis ball. Some opponents of the shriekers have complained that it is distracting, and now the International Tennis Federation is considering penalties for grunting that distracts opponents. According to a report, Maria Sharapova is the worst offender, as her grunts reach 101 decibels (a lion’s roar is 110). Serena and Venus Williams have often been the target of criticism for grunting, and their shrieks come in at 89 and 85 decibels, respectively. Seles is at 93.
Since Monica Seles flew up the world tennis rankings, more and more women have joined the grunting ranks of the WTA, sending loud shrieks into the stands as they hit the tennis ball. Some opponents of the shriekers have complained that it is distracting, and now the International Tennis Federation is considering penalties for grunting that distracts opponents. According to a report, Maria Sharapova is the worst offender, as her grunts reach 101 decibels (a lion’s roar is 110). Serena and Venus Williams have often been the target of criticism for grunting, and their shrieks come in at 89 and 85 decibels, respectively. Seles is at 93.