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What the heck is all that grunting, groaning, moaning, and shrieking about? Oh yes, that's the familiar sound you will often hear when watching a professional tennis match. Some tennis pros like to grunt and groan every time they hit the ball. This phenomenon started with Monica Seles and Jimmy Connors back in the 70s, and has carried itself all the way to current players such as Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Sharapova is reportedly the loudest grunter, reaching well over 100 decibels. To put this in perspective, a car horn is about 110 decibels. So, why do tennis players, especially the pros, grunt when they hit the ball? Despite the lack of well documented scientific proof, there are several popular beliefs. The following are just a few of the most common ones. It Keeps Players in Rhythm During rallies, especially long ones, rhythm is very important. The grunts allow the players to remember to exhale, thus enabling them to produce a more powerful shot. Some players feel they can't play at their highest level without grunting. It Helps Players Breathe Better As with many sports, for example weightlifting, proper breathing is essential. Tennis is no different. Inhaling and exhaling at the proper time is believed to maximize the athletes' performance. It becomes part of muscle memory and second nature to the players. It Adds Power Some players believe that grunting when hitting the ball gives them additional power. Studies have shown those players who consistently grunt would hit the ball three to five percent harder than when they stay silent. This may be because those players are using their grunting as a timing mechanism that makes them focus on hitting the ball at the right time. It Gives Grunters a Competitive Edge The non-grunting players claim that it gives those who do an unfair advantage. The reason is that the grunts tend to drown out the sound that comes off of the strings, thus hindering the opponents' ability to judge the timing of when and how to hit the ball back. So, next time you play tennis, try grunting, groaning, moaning or shrieking so you can play like the pros. Please don't call me if you get kicked off the courts! Ha ha! Stay safe and see you all at The Courts. Visit our website at https://sites.google.com/view/tennis- fourseasons/home. ~ Stan Lam, (714) 757-2141, slamcpa@gmail. com 52 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2021 Tennis Club Rafael Nadal, a notorious grunter, still needs a horn in his car Maria Sharapova is a loud grunter… she doesn't need a horn in her car