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Russia's Maria Sharapova.
Melbourne – Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska Tuesday backed a push to tone down undignified screaming by women's players – and said the high-decibel grunts made the game unappealing to watch.
Speaking after her Australian Open quarter-final loss to notorious screamer Victoria Azarenka, Radwanska agreed the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) needed to limit noisy play.
The issue of screaming reared its head at the Australian Open after large sections of the crowd mimicked Azarenka during her second-round match against Casey Dellacqua.
It surfaced again following Maria Sharapova's tense three-set win over Sabine Lisicki on Monday, when the Russian's screams became louder as tensions built in the match.
“Well, you know, I mean, of course everybody can make some noise. This is tennis, it's really hard work out there. But I think, you know, it's just too loud,” Radwanska said.
“I don't think it's very necessary to scream that loud, so if they (WTA) want to do something, why not?
“I don't think this is very nice to watch, you know, those kind of players that scream so much all the time. So that's why I think the WTA wants to change something.”
Radwanska has been friends with Azarenka since they met as juniors 10 years ago and she was reluctant to criticise the Belarusian. But she said Sharapova was simply too loud.
“To be honest, I'm kind of used to it, you know, especially with Vika (Azarenka). We know each other for many years,” she said.
“About Maria, I mean, what can I say? For sure that is pretty annoying and it's just too loud.”
The WTA has written to coaches and academies asking them to discourage screaming, in a bid to cut noise levels on court. But Azarenka laughed off the controversy and said she had been loud since she was a child.
“It's the way I am, the way I play, the way I used to play when I was a kid,” said the Belarusian.
“And if you want to a little bit more on insight, I think it's the way that made me breathe, made me move. It's part of my movement.
“As a child I was really weak, so I had to give that little extra power there. It kind of stuck with me.” – Sapa-AFP
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Mary, wrote
I played on the college tennis team and against the guys on the team. I never had to grunt like that! Granted these women are a whole lot better than I was but if they hit against top college men they would really be screaching everyone out of the stands! It's ridiculous. It does not give you power as Azarenka contends. It is a fad they picked up and a bad habit they just don't want to get rid of. Fans should not be subjected to it. And I for one am NOT going to watch the Australian Open Women's final. I just won't be subjected to Sharipova and Azarenka at the same time. Is there any way to get the advertisers to pressure the WTA into doing something?!!!
mark, wrote
ROB, wrote
It does show the hypocrisy of it all, Radwanska complaining that Sharapova is too loud, but reluctant to discuss her big pal Azarenka who is equally as loud.
ROB, wrote
@Gary ... seriously, keep your dirty little mind out of the gutter sunshine, not all grunting has to be done behind a bedroom door. Sounds to me that this crap about Maria's grunting always rears it's ugly little head when the rest are having their butts kicked.
allan, wrote
I completely agree that somehow or other it's got to stop or be drastically toned down. It makes watching(womens)tennis extremely unpleasant, despite Maria's stunning looks!
JoeDbn, wrote
Who cares about the screaming? When Maria is playing I just turn the volume down and enjoy watching her! what else do we watch tennis for? Sheeeesh!!!
Anonymous, wrote
It is a disctinct possibility that the majority of female players who criticise Maria are in fact those that have bit the dust when playing this increddible tennis player - They certainly cant pick on her playing so lets dish the screaming - She is magnificent, scream on Maria!!!!that
GARY, wrote
The reason i will never watch tennis. Screaming and grunting is best kept behind bedroom doors. its not needed on a tennis court. The sooner the WTA ban it , the better.
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