U.S. Open 2012: 7 Storylines

Photo by: Getty Images

The Sound Effects

The WTA announced plans a couple of months ago to crack down on grunting in women's tennis. Maria Sharapova, one of the louder players on the tour, made supportive comments about the plan, but fellow top seed Victoria Azarenka - a.k.a. "Vika the Shrieka" - reportedly snorted a "good luck with that" in response.

Agreed - and I also dislike the undercurrent of "it's not ladylike" that seems to underpin the... more 

Photo by: Getty Images

The Sound Effects

The WTA announced plans a couple of months ago to crack down on grunting in women's tennis. Maria Sharapova, one of the louder players on the tour, made supportive comments about the plan, but fellow top seed Victoria Azarenka - a.k.a. "Vika the Shrieka" - reportedly snorted a "good luck with that" in response.

Agreed - and I also dislike the undercurrent of "it's not ladylike" that seems to underpin the move. It's not that the grunting and squealing doesn't get old, because by Day 4 of a two-week major, I'm so over it, I'm under it. But I'm not seeing similar legislation on the men's side, and if it's because men are expected show extreme effort in the pursuit of athletic goals while women should swan about, sans perspiration or any sound save musical chuckling, well, that's gross.

Expect an update to the policy in the next day or two.

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