Petitions

We at OnCourt Advantage ask you to sign our petition in favour of making noise hindrance (as a result of grunting), part of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) code of conduct.

By adding grunting as a hindrance to the ITF code this behaviour would become punishable. Therefore, players would make their best efforts to keep the noise down to avoid warnings and penalties. This will benefit the game of tennis in many ways, including attracting sponsors back into tennis, increasing the number of people watching the game etc.

For more details see the OnCourt Advantage posts entitled "Sign the GRUNTING in tennis petition" parts 1 and 2.

xxxxxxxx,

xxxxxxxx,
IN FAVOUR 100%

xxxxxxxx,
Yes please ITF, add it to the code of conduct.

xxxxxxxx,
It puts me off watching women's tennis.

xxxxxxxx,
We've stopped watching Women's tennis because of the grunting. We turn the volume down, can't hear commentators, so decided to not watch them anymore. It's made Women's tennis a joke to watch and laugh at....what a shame. This would not be tolerated at our local clubs.

xxxxxxxx,
Grunting way out of hand. Very disturbing. I refuse to watch matches with heavy grunting. Losing tennis audience. Place sanctions on players, NOW

xxxxxxxx,
Should never have been allowed from the start and must be banned to improve the experience of watching tennis

Claude Bales,
Heavens just imagine none of those ridiculous high decibels shrills, and no more strategic injury time-out. Quel bonheur!
Ban both of those cheating ways!

Nicci Button,
I attended 4 days of the 2010 Australian Open where I enjoyed the tremendous tennis. However, I walked out of the arena after about three games between Vera Zvonareva & Victoria Azarenka because I was so put off by the grunting - it completely spoilt the tennis!

Lucille Johnson,

xxxxxxxx,
Yes, grunting should be banned.

Steve Botica,
The grunting has turned into screaming and is being vocalised a log time after they've hit the shot. It's ruining watching great games of tennis.

xxxxxxxx,
PLEASE!! I can't even stand to listen to the WTP matches anymore. It is getting ridiculous

Robert Sage,
I have always felt that it [grunting] was detremental to the game of tennis

Edward Chapman,
against the spirit of tennis

xxxxxxxx,
I refuse to watch a fair amount of women's tennis because of the grunting, I'm sure i'm not alone.

R. HUGHES,
Grunting is unsporting behaviour. It is totally unnecessary and is ruining the professional game of tennis for the paying public - without which professional tennis could not exist. ITF, please take back control.

xxxxxxxx,
annoying to spectators and unfair to opponent

xxxxxxxx,
Please stop the over the top screeching/screaming/grunting going on in tennis. I agree that it can be a diversion to your opponent but as a fan and consumer it makes watching any match unbearable and i end up turning it off

xxxxxxxx,
C'mon ITF, grow some (tennis) balls! Stop this incessant screaming & animal noises so we who pay to watch will continue to do so. A point for first offence in a match, a game for second and a match loss for 3rd offence.

xxxxxxxx,
Stop the screams and grunts

Ronald Wong,
For the good of the game, please ban grunting. It is both uncomfortable to watch and also unsportsmanlike for the opponent. We certainly do not tolerate it at our club. I cannot stand to watch Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova due to their excessive grunting. It certainly is controllable as I have observed players like Maria Sharapova not grunt at times when she has to really really concentrate.

Carole Ellis,
I will never watch an Azarenka match

Trev Giacometti,
Grunting in the women's game is a huge turnoff and should be banned

Brian Wilson,

xxxxxxxx,

Melinda Armstrong,
Some of the more recent wailing and moaning is so bad, it has caused me to turn off the tv. It is a form of cheating and must be addressed, lest it continues to fester and isolate fans. It's dreadfully obnoxious!

Jim Dumont,
It's out of control. Decibel meter on court with similary warning/point/game... penalty as when play is delayed.

Mary Cuevas,
Please stop the screaming and grunting. I do not watch matches with the screamers. It is bad for the game, fans and sponsors. if you want to attract more viewers, start penalizing the screamers and grunters. Thank you.

Jamie,
This disturbing/annoying behavior needs to stop. I will not be viewing women's tennis until there is a change.

Lynn Thorpe,
Women's tennis has become unwatchable...please stop the ridiculous screeching....just play the game.

xxxxxxxx,
If I wanted to play or watch a sport that onones unsportsmanlike conduct, like te

He


If I wanted to play and watch a sport condoning unsportsmanlike behavior, like Azarenka's shrieking, I would switch to Ice Hockey. Please please please make the shrieking stop or tell the women that tennis is a game for ladies and they should go find a sport meade suited to their inconsiderate behavior. It's unbearable. I refuse to watch these women play. The wta will never get my support What the players do is nothing short of cheating. Please cultivate players with class and self respect. Sadly, the men could teach the women how to be ladies - they're so off the mark!

Pierluigi,
I won't watch the women grand final of the Australia Open 2012 because of the certain battle of grunts.

adelheid burjan,
so sick of having to listen to the grunting especially from the female players

Glynis McNally,
Grunting and screaching is a real turnoff, can't stand watching it when Sharapova is playing, The men are doing it too, but not as annoying, yet!

xxxxxxxx,
I too love watching mens and womens tennis but the excessivly loud grunting and high piched screaming from the women has turnrd this great sport into a circus...its not necessary....and its highly unsportsman like....cant tolerate it at all and turn the sound down when viewing

Mikaila Lindeman,

mariyka pasicznyk,
I would like to add that I have no respect for Sharapova after her comments regarding Radwanska being 'back in Poland already' and no one important enough having told her to stop. The spectators are important and we don't like it. It's not a proper exertion noise (Listen to Rafa for that) it's a pathetic throat noise. Let your tennis do the talking and the spectators do the screaming.

xxxxxxxx,
Can only watch womens tennis on MUTE!!! The noise is ridiculous

xxxxxxxx,
disturbing and unprofessional. the players cannot stand noise from the audience yet think nothing of their grunting which carries over to the next shot

JillForrester,
I find the grunting distracting and it takes all the enjoyment of watching tennis away.I would not book centre court tickets ahead of time ,in case I get a grunter playing.All of my friends are turned off by the noise and discuss using the mute button,which we should not have to use.

John Richards,
It's purely gamesman ship. Ban it.