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Super Smash Finals LIVE from 2pmIs grunting in tennis a form of cheating?
Emily Benammar • January 30th, 2026 12:00 pm
Aryna Sabalenka said the chair umpire that called her out for grunting “really pissed her off” but ultimately gave her the drive to play harder after securing her fourth consecutive Australian Open final berth.
The world No. 1 has not dropped a single set en route to the final where she will play Elena Rybakina – a replay of 2023.
Sabalenka took just 77 minutes to end Elina Svitolina’s tournament, but it was a mid-match moment of controversy that stole the attention.
In the fourth game of the opening set, chair umpire Louise Engzell called for play to be stopped mid-point citing hindrance from Sabalenka who had let out an odd sounding grunt.
Not convinced it was the right call, Sabalenka unleashed and the fury spilled into her press conference where she dared the officials to sanction her again.
“That’s never actually never happened to me," she said. "Like, never happened to me, especially with my grunting ... I don't know how to explain it.
"It's just like the ball was deep ... the bounce was wrong, and it was just like the timing. I was excelling, and it just happened naturally. Then she called it, and I was, like, what? What is wrong with you?
"I mean, I think it was the wrong call, but whatever. She really - how do I say this in a nice way? She really pissed me off, and it's actually helped me and benefited my game. I was more aggressive. I was not happy with the call, and it really helped me to get that game.
"So if she ever want to do it again, I want to make sure that she's not afraid of it. Go ahead, call it. It's going to help me."
Grunting in tennis - both men's and women's - is a long-debated topic.
While there is no official ban on players making the sound, the hindrance rules were brought in in 2021 whereby umpires can sanction a player if it's deemed deliberate, excessive or a distraction.
The debate stretches back decades. In 2009 after Maria Sharapova was recorded grunting at 101 decibels, Martina Navratilova said the act was a form of cheating.
"The grunting has reached an unacceptable level," she said. "It is cheating, pure and simple. It is time for something to be done".
Grunting is not solely an issues in women's tennis. previously Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal have been cited in debates over whether it is a distraction.
Further back in history Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi were renowned "grunters".
