Notorious grunter Maria Sharapova supports grunting ban

A. Isaac Senior Editor

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When it comes to shrieking, grunting and groaning on the tennis court, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka stand out among their peers. So it’s a bit ironic that Sharapova has now come out in support of an upcoming grunting ban from the WTA.

A ban, mind you, that won’t include her generation.

“Bottom line is the right answer has been taken by the tour,” Sharapova told Reuters, safe in the knowledge she will not be told to shush.

“I started grunting since whenever I can remember,” she added at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. “I see videos of myself and I’ve grunted for that long. Nobody told me to do it in Russia or in Florida. It’s just a natural habit.”

Natural huh? Really, that’s where you’re going with this. Listen, regardless of what any of the grunters say, they’re doing it to gain an advantage. Perhaps it’s part of their subconscious, I can’t say for sure. But I’ve seen several of Maria Sharapova’s practice sessions where you could hear a mouse fart. But against an opponent, BOOM, this is what you get.