Why do tennis players grunt? Grunting can help players generate more power and focus. It is also thought that grunting can intimidate opponents or disrupt their concentration.
Have you ever wondered why do tennis players grunt during matches? Or have ever wondered who is the biggest tennis grunter? I will dive deeper into this controversial aspect of the game.
I am Chris, a British tennis player based in London, ERSA Pro Stringer, and a fan of all things tennis. I am passionate about all things tennis, and the topic of grunting is fascinating, so let’s dive in! Feel free to skip ahead to the bit that interests you!
Why do tennis players grunt?
Grunting in tennis can give the player an advantage. There are several theories offered for why do tennis players grunt. I’ll deep dive a little into each of these:
- Adds speed and power: A study [1] was done with skilled university tennis players. It showed that they hit the ball with a 3.8% increase in groundstroke velocity when they grunted. Wow, I’ll remember that next time I hit the court!
- Helps breathing and rhythm: Grunting can help players time their breathing and movements.
- Muscle Tension release: It can help release muscle tension, resulting in more power.
- Relieves nervous tension: I’m sure you can relate, like me, to being in a tight match feeling tight. Players who grunt while hitting a point help relieve some of that nervous tension.
- Psychological Advantage: Grunting can distract or intimidate opponents. It impacts their focus and concentration, according to some players.
- Conceals the sound of the ball: Grunting can conceal the crucial sound of racket-ball contact. As a result, this can impact their reading of the ball. Fascinating!
The origins of grunting in tennis
In the 1970s, players like Jimmy Connors and Monica Seles began grunting in their matches – how noisy of them!
But why do tennis players grunt on the professional tour? The thinking was that it helped them gain an advantage by generating more power and focus. Some thought it was to distract or intimidate their opponents.
On the professional tour, it has become quite controversial! Critics have argued that excessive grunting is unsportsmanlike.
The former world number one Martina Navratilova has described it as cheating [2]. She argued that it can mask the sound of the ball from the opponent, which affects their shot preparation.
I found this fascinating when I first heard that! I have never thought about listening to the sound of my opponents hitting the ball! Is this where I’m going wrong?
The trend is here to stay. We see grunting from Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Aryna Sabalenka, and Novak Djokovic.
Love it or hate it, one thing is for sure – grunting has become part of the world of professional tennis!
Grunting among the top players on tour
Carlos Alcaraz’s ‘extended’ grunt has become synonymous with his powerful playing style. He has faced criticism from players such as Tsitipas [3].
Tsitipas inferred that the noise was distracting him hitting his shot. Tsitipas said, “When I’m about to hit the shot, there is an extended grunt.”
I love his grunt and think it adds to his aura! Check this point out below.
Aryna Sabalenka’s grunts on the court have also garnered attention recently. Ons Jabeur stated, “She was screaming for both of us. I couldn’t even scream with her” [4].
I think her loud grunts mirror her playing style! I love her fierce competitiveness and determination to dominate her opponents.
I love how she screams at the end when she hits the winner in the video below; imagine being her opponent!
Novak Djokovic is one of the more controlled ‘grunters‘ on tour, but he is even guilty of it. He was docked a point during his semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in 2023.
The umpire stopped the point mid-rally in, stating that it distracted Sinner. Djokovic was unaffected and went on to win but said, “I felt nervous after that call, but I managed to regroup.”
So we know it is part and parcel of the game, but who are the biggest grunters out there?
Who are the loudest grunters in tennis?
Betting.com did hours of analysis to determine the top grunters. They evaluated players in the top 30 men’s and women’s rankings. They found that Carlos Alcaraz grunts on 100% of serves analyzed and 80% of shots during a rally!!
The top five male players who grunt the most:
| Player | Percentage of audible grunts when serving | Percentage of audible grunts on a regular shot (non-serve) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 100% | 80% |
| Borna Coric | 100% | 73.08% |
| Felix Auger-Aliassime | 82.61% | 86.96% |
| Taylor Fritz | 82.35% | 76.09% |
| Karen Khachanov | 88.24% | 47.37% |
The top five female players who grunt the most:
| Player | Percentage of audible grunts when serving | Percentage of audible grunts on a regular shot (non-serve) |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 100% | 95.45% |
| Beatriz Haddad Maia | 100% | 93.22% |
| Maria Sakkari | 80.95% | 62.86% |
| Veronika Kudermetova | 90.91% | 52.63% |
| Ons Jabeur | 71.43% | 57.69% |
Should grunting be allowed in tennis?
It is definitely controversial. There are arguments for and against grunting from players, coaches, and our fans!
I’ve never been much of a grunter. That said, I do grunt when I serve sometimes, but this happens organically.
Proponents say it helps you generate more power, but for me, it is more about a release of tension. Some would want it banned at a professional level, but for me, it’s all part of the spectacle.
Opponents suggest it can be distracting to both players and spectators. They say it disrupts the flow of the match, which I can’t say I agree with.
That said, if the noise is excessive or extended, I can understand how it might affect the opponent. The question of sportsmanship comes into play.
Whether you support or oppose grunting, it comes down to personal preference. As someone who thinks it adds to the game, I hope it doesn’t get banned or that players are penalized for it.
Over to you!
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