“Maybe that will put an end to her screeching” – Aryna Sabalenka finds herself targeted after Novak Djokovic’s hindrance controversy during the Wimbledon semi-finals against Jannik Sinner

Over the years, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka have been criticized for their loud screams during gameplay.

“Maybe that will put an end to her screeching” – Aryna Sabalenka finds herself targeted after Novak Djokovic’s hindrance controversy during the Wimbledon semi-finals against Jannik Sinner

L-Aryna Sabalenka, R- Novak Djokovic having a word with umpire during the infamous 'hindrance' (Image Credits: Tennis Majors/Getty Images)


Novak Djokovic was sanctioned for a rather controversial hindrance call during his Wimbledon semifinal match against Jannik Sinner for his loud grunt at a point. As a result, the tennis world erupted in a debate over the enforcement of the hindrance call. In the midst of this, World No. 2 in women’s tennis, Aryna Sabalenka was trolled on social media for her excessive grunting.

The hindrance rule is a provision in the International Tennis Federation’s Code of Conduct that prohibits players from making excessive noise during a match. Specifically, the rule states that a player shall not “make noise or any other disturbance during a point that willfully hinders an opponent either by distracting them or making it difficult for them to hear the ball.”

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While grunting and screaming have been a part of tennis for decades, many believe that some players take it too far. In recent years, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka have been criticized for their loud screams, with opponents claiming that it’s difficult to concentrate with such noise in the background.

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However, as the case of Djokovic shows, the rule is still being enforced, albeit inconsistently. Some players, like Sharapova, have been fined for their excessive noise, while others, like Sabalenka, have been given a pass. This inconsistency has led to calls for clearer guidelines on what constitutes excessive noise and how it should be enforced.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev believes Carlos Alcaraz has the potential to upset Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon finals

Twitter users troll Sabalenka for her excessively loud grunts

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image Credits: The Telegraph)

In the wake of the controversial hindrance call, Twitter users began to troll World No. 2 in women’s tennis Aryna Sabalenka for her infamous loud grunting. Some joked that if the hindrance rule is strictly applied, Sabalenka won’t be able to play a single match anymore.

For players like Sabalenka, who rely on their screams to stay focused and release tension, the enforcement of the embarrassment rule could have a significant impact on their game. If they’re forced to tone down their noise, they may struggle to stay focused and perform at their best.

On the other hand, opponents argue that excessive noise is a distraction that can hinder their ability to play. If the rule is strictly enforced, they may be able to focus better and perform at a higher level.

Meanwhile, at Wimbledon, Sabalenka ended up losing her semifinal match to Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. She also lost her bid to the World No. 1 ranking in the process. Djokovic, on the other hand, has advanced to the final for a 5th straight time. He will face World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

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