Russian shrieks her way to the semi-finals, annoying viewers in the process.
Maria Sharapova shrieked her way to the Wimbledon semi-finals but spectators said the excessive noise was so distracting it had spolit their enjoyment of the match.
The former champion beat unseeded American Coco Vandeweghe in a three set thriller to set up a clash with Serena Williams.
But viewers complained that her infamous grunting appeared to have reached new levels and had made them switch off.
Spectators on Centre Court also noted the volume and said it must have been off-putting to her opponenet.
Sharapova is known for her loud shrieks, which have reached 109 decibels – only slightly quieter than a chainsaw.
The Women’s Tennis Association has previously expressed a commitment to drive out such excessive noise, agreeing that it should no longer be tolerated.
In 2012, it said it was considering plans to equip umpires with grunt–ometers so they could dock points from female players who distract opponents with loud shrieks.
Stacey Allaster, the WTA chairman and chief executive, said: It’s time for us to drive excessive grunting out of the game for future generations.
The bottom line is that we want to bring forward across all levels of competition an objective rule through use of technology.
Richard Lewis, the chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, has agreed, stating that ideally off–putting shrieks on court would be reduced.
But he has claimed it would be difficult to persuade the game’s stars to change their habits.
Dr Victor Thompson, a clinical sports psychologist, said the noise was created as players breathed out hard, which helped them to apply maximal force.
If there is a forceful exhalation of air at the same time that the core abdominal muscles engage it may give more power”, he said last year.
This is why in sports where maximal power is required – such as shot put or javelin – there will always be a grunt.
Sharapova was unapologetic on Tuesday. Asked about the noise, she said: I have nothing to say. It’s nothing new. It’s not a new question.
