The Williams sisters, Sharapova and Azarenka ruin my appreciation of their play because the noise they make is so annoying and unpleasant. There's also Larcher de Brito who luckily isn't good enough to appear in main draws yet. Shrieking is completely different from grunting. These women are screaming and shrieking, and I refuse to pay money or waste my time on them. I don't care how good they are. I don't call that entertainment.
Are their opponents being wimps for not complaining because they're afraid of the fall out? Someone please stand up and speak for the fans who are cheated of what otherwise would be an enjoyable experience.
Gregg - 12 years ago
I'm a giant tennis fan. Men's, Women's, Dogs, I don't care. If it's on I usually want to watch. But I literally cannot watch an Azarenka or Sharapova match anymore. It's bad enough if one of them are playing. But against each other? No way. Count one less TV watcher. And the Williams sisters are also bad. There's a big difference with the Men because they are not shrieking. Azarenka doesn't even finish her thing sometimes until after her opponent is hitting their shot! Totally unprofessional, and despite their claims, totally unnecessary.
james - 12 years ago
Won't watch the Aussie Open final given who is in it - two screamers. none of the greatest players ever to play the game - these two don't qualify - have had to scream like these do to motivate each shot they make. it's silly and annoying. I vote with my feet and my wallet. Sorry, not even remotely interested in watching this match (or any of the others they were in).
Gregg - 12 years ago
I'm a giant tennis fan. Men's, Women's, Dogs, I don't care. If it's on I usually want to watch. But I literally cannot watch an Azarenka or Sharapova match anymore. It's bad enough if one of them are playing. But against each other? No way. Count one less TV watcher. And the Williams sisters are also bad. There's a big difference with the Men because they are not shrieking. Azarenka doesn't even finish her thing sometimes until after her opponent is hitting their shot! Totally unprofessional, and despite their claims, totally unprofessional.
Seriously - 12 years ago
Serena and Venus shouldn't even be mentioned regarding this as any noise they make is occasional and miniscule compared to the constant screaming/shrieking of Azarenka, Sharapova, and Larcher de Brito
Morcos - 12 years ago
Will not watch the Australia final due to the gutwrenching noise. However, there is a simple solution. Since the noise does not effect play then it is time to allow the crowd to cheer whenever/however they desire. There is no reason to request silence and we won't have to hear the shrieks any more.
Chris - 12 years ago
I no longer watch Sharapova matches because of her shrieking. And the tone definitely intensifies when it's a big point. No need for it. There is a difference between "natural" grunting and what she does. Very talented lady but if I had to watch her in person, I would definitely wear headphones. One, to keep her noise out and two, to demonstrate my distaste for the gamemanship,
Luke - 12 years ago
I did not vote that I watch less because of it, but I will say that I was watching an Azarenka/Sharapova match, and it was just ridiculous. I was struggling to watch the tennis, as I was laughing at the silliness of the grunts...er shrieks. Maria had not completed her shriek when Victoria started hers, and Victoria's was not over by the time Maria started hers. It was a constant shriekfest. I finally changed the channel.
Monique - 12 years ago
The men don't shriek, you can usually still hear the sound of racket contacting the ball. The shriekers tend to be those already with a huge intimidation factor - Williams, Williams, Sharapova, Azarenka, etc. Players who are annoying during matches don't shriek during practice or even at exhibitions.
I am not a professional athlete but I've played competitively. I exhale/grunt when trying to hit as hard as I can or reach for a tough shot. I have never needed to shriek to harness that inner Hercules. And one probably doesn't need to shriek to execute a finesse shot. So, what gives? Are the likes of Serena, Venus and Maria "performing"? Was Monica Seles the same?
I don't care. What the heck! Cut it out already. It is extremely annoying and a turnoff. It used to be I would endure a Serena, Venus or Maria match if I wanted to watch their opponent. But I would leave the sound off or get turned off, watch something else and wait for SI to report on the match.
The Williams sisters, Sharapova and Azarenka ruin my appreciation of their play because the noise they make is so annoying and unpleasant. There's also Larcher de Brito who luckily isn't good enough to appear in main draws yet. Shrieking is completely different from grunting. These women are screaming and shrieking, and I refuse to pay money or waste my time on them. I don't care how good they are. I don't call that entertainment.
Are their opponents being wimps for not complaining because they're afraid of the fall out? Someone please stand up and speak for the fans who are cheated of what otherwise would be an enjoyable experience.
I'm a giant tennis fan. Men's, Women's, Dogs, I don't care. If it's on I usually want to watch. But I literally cannot watch an Azarenka or Sharapova match anymore. It's bad enough if one of them are playing. But against each other? No way. Count one less TV watcher. And the Williams sisters are also bad. There's a big difference with the Men because they are not shrieking. Azarenka doesn't even finish her thing sometimes until after her opponent is hitting their shot! Totally unprofessional, and despite their claims, totally unnecessary.
Won't watch the Aussie Open final given who is in it - two screamers. none of the greatest players ever to play the game - these two don't qualify - have had to scream like these do to motivate each shot they make. it's silly and annoying. I vote with my feet and my wallet. Sorry, not even remotely interested in watching this match (or any of the others they were in).
I'm a giant tennis fan. Men's, Women's, Dogs, I don't care. If it's on I usually want to watch. But I literally cannot watch an Azarenka or Sharapova match anymore. It's bad enough if one of them are playing. But against each other? No way. Count one less TV watcher. And the Williams sisters are also bad. There's a big difference with the Men because they are not shrieking. Azarenka doesn't even finish her thing sometimes until after her opponent is hitting their shot! Totally unprofessional, and despite their claims, totally unprofessional.
Serena and Venus shouldn't even be mentioned regarding this as any noise they make is occasional and miniscule compared to the constant screaming/shrieking of Azarenka, Sharapova, and Larcher de Brito
Will not watch the Australia final due to the gutwrenching noise. However, there is a simple solution. Since the noise does not effect play then it is time to allow the crowd to cheer whenever/however they desire. There is no reason to request silence and we won't have to hear the shrieks any more.
I no longer watch Sharapova matches because of her shrieking. And the tone definitely intensifies when it's a big point. No need for it. There is a difference between "natural" grunting and what she does. Very talented lady but if I had to watch her in person, I would definitely wear headphones. One, to keep her noise out and two, to demonstrate my distaste for the gamemanship,
I did not vote that I watch less because of it, but I will say that I was watching an Azarenka/Sharapova match, and it was just ridiculous. I was struggling to watch the tennis, as I was laughing at the silliness of the grunts...er shrieks. Maria had not completed her shriek when Victoria started hers, and Victoria's was not over by the time Maria started hers. It was a constant shriekfest. I finally changed the channel.
The men don't shriek, you can usually still hear the sound of racket contacting the ball. The shriekers tend to be those already with a huge intimidation factor - Williams, Williams, Sharapova, Azarenka, etc. Players who are annoying during matches don't shriek during practice or even at exhibitions.
I am not a professional athlete but I've played competitively. I exhale/grunt when trying to hit as hard as I can or reach for a tough shot. I have never needed to shriek to harness that inner Hercules. And one probably doesn't need to shriek to execute a finesse shot. So, what gives? Are the likes of Serena, Venus and Maria "performing"? Was Monica Seles the same?
I don't care. What the heck! Cut it out already. It is extremely annoying and a turnoff. It used to be I would endure a Serena, Venus or Maria match if I wanted to watch their opponent. But I would leave the sound off or get turned off, watch something else and wait for SI to report on the match.