ok....THIS is taking it too far

[MrCinatit]

come on folks...this is the only reason i watch women's tennis - especially Stephie Graff. don't take THIS away from me.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...on_grunting_dc

LONDON (Reuters) - Wimbledon referee Alan Mills has had enough of noise pollution -- he wants to crack down on grunting tennis players.

Defending women's champion Maria Sharapova was recorded by a tabloid newspaper's unofficial "gruntometer" at 101.2 decibels on Center Court Tuesday.

The noise, almost as loud as a police siren, was said to have broken her previous record.

"It is something I would like to see stopped," Mills told Reuters Wednesday.

But the big noises of tennis are unrepentant.

After the Sun newspaper labeled the Russian teen-ager "Bawl-Breaker," Sharapova was asked at her first post-match press conference if she felt she was being particularly loud.

"You always ask me the same questions," she said. "I don't pay any attention to that and I never have and I never probably will."

A defiant Serena Williams, whose first-round match with compatriot Angela Haynes featured much noise from both sides, said: "I am going to carry on grunting. It's not my business to control what people think."

Mills, who retires this summer after more than two decades in charge at the tournament, said the two single biggest complaints the All England Club gets in letters from Wimbledon spectators were about players grunting and spitting.

Notices about spitting have been put up in four languages in the Wimbledon locker rooms and Mills said they were having some effects.

"I think the message is getting through," Mills added. "But the grunting has got progressively worse over the years. I would really like it curbed. I am sure coaches can play their part."

So how can the grunters be toned down at Wimbledon?

"Opponents have to complain first for the chair umpire to do something. We have to monitor the situation carefully," Mills said.

[Red Leader]

I don't even watch women's tennis, I just listen with my eyes closed....

...and why am I typing this on a public forum....?????

Nevermind.

Obviously, I think this report is rediculous.

[M2]

Gabriella Sabatini had the best groan in the in the business, a breathy, sustained, deep-throated release that made the little girl yelps of others sound like bubble gum pop.

[registerthis]

Gabriella Sabatini had the best groan in the in the business, a breathy, sustained, deep-throated release that made the little girl yelps of others sound like bubble gum pop.

I don't know, I think she was closely challenged for that title by Monica Seles.

Anyone else remember SNL's skit, "At home With Monica"?

"Monica, please pass me a napkin."
"OK.....EERRRYYAAAHHHHHHH....there you go."
"Thanks."

[Roy Tucker]

Gabriella Sabatini had the best groan in the in the business, a breathy, sustained, deep-throated release that made the little girl yelps of others sound like bubble gum pop.

Just what kind of business are you talking about here?

Perhaps Meg Ryan can become a coach.

[M2]

I don't know, I think she was closely challenged for that title by Monica Seles.

Seles was the exact kind of teeny-bopper yelper that bores me. It was the amped up, unrefined, unexperienced utterance of a little girl. Even when I was young and all I could date was girls, I natively understood women had it over them in spades. It's the difference between peppy and amorous. Make mine amorous.

[NYMoose]

Gabriella Sabatini had the best groan in the in the business, a breathy, sustained, deep-throated release that made the little girl yelps of others sound like bubble gum pop.

[Redsfaithful]

I coach high school tennis (guys, not girls) and I give lessons. If these players had to be silent it would throw their games off completely. It's a timing thing.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Mills, who retires this summer after more than two decades in charge at the tournament, said the two single biggest complaints the All England Club gets in letters from Wimbledon spectators were about players grunting and spitting.

Nothing like trying to make a name for yourself just before leaving. Alan who? That is exactly what this is about IMO. Trying to be bigger than the tourney and make a big impact before bowing out. Hoping everyone will remember him. They will remember him in a bad way for about a year and then no one will remember this Alan character.

Wonder if Mrs. Mills has ever been asked to stop grunting in the Mills household? My guess... Mr. Mills is not that stupid. Arrogant, yes... ignorant, nope.

[cumberlandreds]

I would suggest to Mr. Mills to take a dose of viagra before each match he referees. I believe he would enjoy the matches much more.

[macro]

I coach high school tennis (guys, not girls) and I give lessons. If these players had to be silent it would throw their games off completely. It's a timing thing.

I'm no tennis historian, but didn't players play for decades without the noise?

[registerthis]

I'm no tennis historian, but didn't players play for decades without the noise?

Well, football players used to play without helmets.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Take a poll of the actual players in the tourney. If more than half say it distracts them while playing, then enforce a rule. The spectators should not have say in what happens on the court during play. The players should have the say. If the nosie bothers fans, then stay away. I am sure those Wimbledon tickets can be sold to someone else.

Sorry to sound so simplistic on this matter!

[DunnersGrl44]

Grunting in tennis is something that isn't even noticed by the player. When i played in college i used to grunt.... a very low grunt.... but i never noticed i was doing it. I don't really even notice it when other people do it either.

[Redsfaithful]

I'm no tennis historian, but didn't players play for decades without the noise?

Maybe, but once it becomes a habit then it's pretty tough to break. The grunt comes at the point of contact, and that needs to stay as consistent as possible. Having to think about staying silent would throw things off if the player is used to making noise.