Aryna Sabalenka was seen and certainly heard on court as she continues her charge at the Australia Open.
The two-time defending champion defeated Denmark’s Clara Tauson in straight sets to storm into the fourth round.
Sabalenka’s latest tournament is cementing why she is known as one of the best tennis players in the world.
However, the Belarusian is also known as one of the players who grunt the most during games and talkSPORT has taken a look at why she makes so much noise on the court…
Why does Sabalenka grunt?
The most common reason a player grunts is due to the relaxation of the muscles as they play their shots.
Most fitness instructors advise exhaling during a workout and by doing so elite tennis stars can improve their breathing and rhythm while playing.
Other factors include players increasing power on their shots and letting off steam during a game.
The majority of tennis players do this but Sabalenka specifically is known for her grunting.
A study from 2023 shows that the 26-year-old is the current women’s player who grunts the most during games.
According to stats up to June 2023, Sabalenka was found to have made the noise 100 per cent of the times she served and 95 per cent of the time she played a shot.
During Wimbledon that year, semi-final opponent Ons Jabeur spoke out about Sabalenka’s grunting during the game.
Speaking post-match, Jabeur laughed: “She was screaming for both of us, I guess! I couldn’t even scream with her. It’s tough.
“It is true. I mean, that’s the thing about playing Aryna. She’s there. You know she’s there.”
And at the Australian Open last year, Coco Gauff was asked whether Sabalenka’s loud approach distracted her.
Gauff said: “No. I mean, I played her a lot, so I can’t sit here and say that the grunt is distracting.
“I don’t notice, you know, when – I feel like at least with her it’s consistent, so it doesn’t bother me.
“I’ve played a player in the past where the grunt wasn’t consistent where they would grunt longer on purpose on 30-All or deuce point.
“If it’s consistent, I can’t really say anything about it.”
Sabalenka has found success with this method of playing and as irritating as it can be for spectators, it remains legal in the game.
