WIMBLEDON LADIES UPDATE & PLENTY OF INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS INCUDING GRUNTING BY CHERYL JONES

Written by: Staff on 25th June 2014

WIMBLEDON LADIES UPDATE & PLENTY OF INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS INCUDING GRUNTING BY CHERYL JONES

epa04277484 Maria Sharapova of Russia returns to Samantha Murray of Britain in their first round match during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2014. EPA/VALDRIN XHEMAJ |

Excitement may be like beauty. In essence, it is in the eye of the beholder. Lots of things are that way. Several men’s matches were filled with tense moments – just one element within the definition of excitement. But Wednesday at The Championships, the women’s matches were really not out of the ordinary.

It was exciting to see Novak Djokovic move ahead in his portion of the draw after a real workout trying to stave off the advances of guy who never seems to give up, 35-year-old Radek Stepanek. Just before darkness fell, the match ended with Djokovic in the driver’s seat, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. Sam Querrey and Jo Wilfried Tsonga didn’t make that curfew though, and they will finish their squeaker tomorrow. It is 9-9 in the fifth. There was more, but I digress. The intention was to say a bit about the women’s side of the draw.

Caroline Wozniacki, as predicted, defeated Naomi Broady. She was a home country wildcard entry into the draw. It was quick and painless for Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3. Meanwhile, an up and comer, Lauren Davis added to the United States’ women’s successes when she defeated Flavia Pennetta, 6-4, 7-6. Then, there was Venus Williams who seems to be making a valiant try at having another go at the Rosewater Dish, (after all, it does have her name on it), moved in the right direction with her defeat of Kurumi Nara of Japan a 7-6, 6-1.

Former number one, Victoria Azarenka came out on the wrong side of the numbers when the match was complete. Even though she previously has professed to be ready for competition after a lengthy healing period for yet another injury, today it was evident that wasn’t the case, and the proof was in the outcome. True, she did take it to three sets, but her loss to Bojana Jovanovski, (6-3, 3-6, 7-5), was clearly a printout that announced that Azarenka just wasn’t ready. Jovanovski is another of the powerful Serbian tennis contingent. She is the third most highly ranked woman from her country. (The others are Ana Ivanovic and Jalena Jankovic.)

Javanovski likely provided what some might see as a favor for a good many tennis fans. It appears that one of the most debated parts of women’s tennis today has to do with “shrieking”. Azarenka is one of the loudest of the several women who have been publically chastised by great numbers of fans and tennis spokespeople. One of those who have been vocal in their disapproval of the sound effects is Billie Jean King.

Maria Sharapova.

Often, I field questions that begin, “What do you think of Maria (Sharapova) and her squealing?” The two women aren’t the only ones; they are just the best known. (Another piercing contestant moved forward today, and she may actually be the champ decibel-wise. It’s Michelle Larcher de Brito, who is Portugese. A few years ago, in Paris, I could hear her through the pressroom’s brick walls and I had to make a visit to the court to witness in person the loudest on-court screeching I had ever heard.)

There is no hiding folks’ disgust with the sounds that often accompany a women’s tennis match. It must be something like the sound of a dog whistle that irritates only pooches’ ears. While I won’t say that I like to listen to the shrieks; they don’t really annoy me. It seems like they are just another part of the contest. (It’s somewhat like a weightlifter who grunts when hefting a huge weight over their head.) To put it in more familiar terms, it’s a little like trying to pry at something with a crowbar. Sound effects that are uttered help with a variety of heavy lifting efforts.

While, I’m not a kinesiologist or a physicist, it surprises me that it is an issue at all. The sounds that come from the impetus of a shot performed by Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka or any other tennis player are exhalations. They have a purpose but they aren’t made on purpose. It’s a human being’s way of adding a bit extra to an action.

Tomorrow, Maria Sharapova will be on the docket. She is a joy to watch; she’s beautiful and she is a great tennis player, but she makes some noise. If her squealing is annoying, I would hope folks know where their “Mute” button is if they’re at home or if they are lucky enough to be here at the venue, ear plugs are cheap. Watching a star do her thing – priceless.

Topics: Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Cheryl Jones, Flavia Pennetta, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Radek Stepanek, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Wimbledon

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June 25, 2014 at 8:24 pm

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