‘Distracting and Frustrating’- Aryna Sabalenka’s Persistent Habit Enrages Australian Open Fans

Aryna Sabalenka, famously known as the “Tigress” for her ferocious gameplay, is chasing her third consecutive Australian Open title. But it’s not just her skills on the court that are grabbing headlines. The Belarusian star is currently facing Madison Keys in the final, and while both have taken a set each, Sabalenka’s performance has drawn mixed reactions—notably for her habit of grunting during matches.

Grunting in tennis is a loud noise made by some players while hitting their shots. Such noises have sometimes been described as “shrieking” or “screaming”. You can’t talk about grunting in tennis without mentioning Monica Seles, Jimmy Connors, and John McEnroe – they were the kings and queen of it. Often considered being the “grunt creators” in the women’s and men’s games, respectively.

It is often a natural result of players exhaling during their shots, which helps relax their muscles. Fitness experts recommend exhaling during exercise to enhance breathing and rhythm, and tennis players apply this principle on the court. Additionally, the sound of a grunt can come from players exerting more force with their shots or even releasing tension during intense moments of the game.

However, the volume seems to have increased over the years, with Serena Williams’s grunts measuring at 88.9 decibels while Maria Sharapova’s grunts have been recorded at 101 decibels. Joining this list is Aryna Sabalenka. However, this loud ‘shrieking’ has left fans annoyed. So what are they saying?

Fans react to Aryna Sabalenka’s loud grunting

Sabalenka, however, has defended her grunting over the years. She once remarked, “Honestly, I don’t even hear myself when I am playing.” For the Belarusian, the loud exertion seems to be part of her aggressive style, which includes powerful groundstrokes and relentless rallies.

Still, the issue isn’t just about preference—it’s a matter of fairness. Some argue that grunting impacts gameplay by interfering with opponents’ ability to hear the ball being struck, a crucial aspect of tennis. Analysis shows Sabalenka grunts on 100% of her serves and 95% of her rally shots, sparking debates about whether this crosses the line into unsportsmanlike behavior.

One fan tweeted, “Maybe Sabalenka should stop screaming. Mix it up a bit.” Another added, “Sabalenka borders on hindrance with the length of her shrieking on almost every shot. The ball is well over her opponent’s side of the net while she is still at high volume.”

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Debate

The interference rule in tennis exists to prevent distractions, but some critics feel Sabalenka’s vocal style pushes the boundaries. One viewer called it “ridiculous,” saying, “Keys is a set and a game up, and she’s doing it without that ridiculous screaming. It’s absolutely put on and, in my opinion, unsportsmanlike.” Her habit isn’t a recent controversy, either.

Back at the 2018 Australian Open, her grunts during a match against Ashleigh Barty became a hot topic. Reports at the time recorded her grunt at an astonishing 90 decibels—a volume comparable to a lawn mower. Fans in the crowd mocked her, and the situation escalated to the point where the chair umpire had to intervene. He addressed the crowd, saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, please, during the rally, do not scream.”

One frustrated fan didn’t mince words, comparing it to unsavory tactics in other sports: “It’s not just unacceptable, it’s cheating. Amazing, it’s still allowed. Historical tennis players didn’t exert effort warranting a noise? It’s as bad as the faking of contact in soccer.”

One fan of the game admitted to skipping Sabalenka’s matches because of the noise. The fan said, “I love watching tennis, but I can’t watch this women’s final. Sabalenka’s screaming is just too distracting and frustrating. It’s also not fair for Keys. It’s unacceptable in my view. I’ve turned it off.”

Despite the criticism, Sabalenka’s performance on the court speaks for itself. Whether her grunting is an essential part of her success or an unnecessary distraction, she continues to dominate the game. But the question remains: should tennis draw a line on grunting, or is it simply part of the sport’s evolving nature?