If you are a tennis enthusiast, you probably must have noticed that some players, including Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova, grunt while playing. And it may have got you wondering – why do tennis players grunt?
Aside from the undeniable fact that the sport is fun, this grunting issue is a very controversial topic at the moment.
Of course, not all players make this noise; some do not even make a sound for the whole duration of their match. While others, let’s just say their grunts are so loud you will feel it ringing at the back of your head.
It got to the point that some players are known for their grunts or moans despite their amazing plays. They just cannot seem to avoid grunting.
Tennis is an elegant sport and is noted for its sportsmanship. Nevertheless, grunting takes away a bit of the elegance the sport is well-known for. Therefore, this gets people, especially ones who never played tennis, wondering why the professionals grunt, to begin with.
Some may think the noise could even mar the players’ identity in the eyes of their supporters, and understandably so. Still, they do it. Why?
Let us find out!
Why Do Tennis Players Grunt?
The reason tennis players make the noise is not that they are compelled to do so but because it has its advantages.
Grunting helps players improve their breathing, concentration and also boosts their strength. It can be of benefit to them because, according to scientific facts, it enhances the velocity of their shots by approximately 5%.
For the onlookers, the grunts may sound similar to shrieks, unpleasant, and painful to the ears. However, for players, it is more than that.
Here are some more of the reasons a tennis player may grunt while playing:
Grunting Boosts Confidence
As indicated by the psychologists, a player feels more self-assured when they make the noise. It builds their confidence inside their court, helping them to play better.
Grunting Enhances Power
Scientists have proven that grunting and power go hand and hand.
According to studies, grunters strike their groundstrokes 3.8% faster in comparison to players who do not make any noise.
What’s more, grunting is most useful during servings. As mentioned above, players who grunt are more likely to serve 4.9% faster compared to silent players. It appears that you can put extra physical force when releasing loud noises while doing it.
So, with the numbers suggesting the benefits, the question should actually be, ‘Why do the players not grunt?’ rather than asking why they do it.
Grunting Improves Rhythm and Breathing
Players grunt because it helps time their shot perfectly. Also, it supports their muscle memory by keeping them sharp and alert. As said by Nick Bollettieri, a renowned tennis coach, grunting puts breathing and hitting the ball accurately in sync.
Grunting Releases Tension
Grunting allows you to relieve tension psychologically and physiologically. Some grunters make the noise to loosen up and let go of the build-up tension, especially during the overtime.
If you watch tennis matches, you will know that professionals like Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, etc., are known to grunt. And they do so to release tension.
Grunting Helps Distract an Opponent
Studies indicate that when players grunt during their match, they reduce their opponents’ capability to determine the shot directions. Not only that, but it also decreases the duration the opponents have to counter each shot.
This way, the grunters gain the upper hand and ensure their opponent fails to stay focused and concentrated.
Grunting Out of Sheer Habit
While some players grunt during matches to better their play, others do it simply out of habit.
In the case of Sharapova, the woman’s grunting has crossed a hundred decibels. She is said to make to loudest grunts. The noise certainly does help her release her tension. However, it is a known fact that she had been doing so since she was young.
Monica Seles, another prominent player, stated that she started grunting at the age of 8. The noise did not come with her becoming a professional.
Scientific Facts on Grunting in Tennis
Aside from tennis, there are other sports in which athletes grunt as well. During Olympics, weightlifters are commonly seen uttering loud shouts while attempting to smash records.
Considering what we have learned so far, it is believed that grunting helps boost speed and strength. It is beneficial in any sport that requires a brief increase in mobility and energy.
A 2014 research was carried out in Texas to prove if this belief was, in fact, the truth or a myth. The survey studied intellectual tennis players to determine the consequences the noise had on them.
The group carrying out the research chose 32 players belonging to NCAA Divisions 2 and 3. Seventeen of those athletes had no record of grunting, while fifteen were grunters. The survey determined the speed, highest muscle activity, and power during forehands and servings by making use of radar sensors and speed guns.
As per the research, grunting enhanced the forehand speed by 4.89% and serve speed by 4.91%. When it comes to isometric force, the noise helped it increase by around 26.3% while serving and 19.09% during forehands.
All in all, serves and forehands play a massive role in a tennis game. So, keeping that in mind, grunting can be quite beneficial for athletes. The increase in the speed of basic shots by approximately 5% proves to be a major trump card for all tennis players.
The Controversy Behind Grunting
Many players consider grunting as vital and beneficial. However, several others are against it.
One phenomenal player standing in opposition is Martina Navratilova. In the year 2009, she opened up, saying that grunting was the same as cheating. She said so since grunters made the noise to distract and prevent their opponent from concentrating.
Other tennis legends, including Todd Woodbridge and Caroline Wozniacki, have voiced out their criticism in public against the professionals who grunt. They even called out to the tennis organizations to look into this matter.
