Wimbledon semi-finalist reveals her distaste for strategic grunting
Wimbledon semi-finalist Barbora Krejcikova held an impromptu question and answer session on social media during a Wimbledon rain delay which revealed some intriguing viewpoints.
Krejcikova would progress to the last four after beating Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 7-6 in a last eight match interrupted by rain.
Among the insights shared by the former French Open winner came from a question she was asked about the rules of tennis.
She was asked what two rules she would change and replied that she would like to see players given more time to serve.
Krejcikova also believes that officials should be allowed to step in when players use grunting as a strategy.
Much has been made of some top players grunting very loudly during key points but as things stand officials don’t have any recourse to intervene.
A 2023 study into player grunting found that Aryna Sabalenka and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, were the top players who were detected audibly grunting the most with both players registering some noise during more than 90% of points and on all their serves.
However, Krejcikova suggests that her quarrel is with players that use their grunt strategically and only start making a noise on key points.
“More time for serve than 25 seconds,” she wrote on X in response to the fan’s question.
“And tbh I am not a fan of grunting, especially when it’s inconsistent, meaning when your opponent start to grunt or grunts louder during key points, it can be disturbing.”
Krejcikova was mentored by Czech tennis legend Jana Novotna and she feels that the late icon lives on through her legacy as a player but more so as a coach.
She took to heart a piece of travel advice that Novotna gave her in particular.
The No 31 seed at Wimbledon also feels that she is just now realising how valuable some of Novotna’s input has been for her.
“I don’t have an exact answer to be honest. I still think about her A LOT so she is still teaching me in some way,” Krejcikova wrote. “I think her advices would be more accurate now.
“But funny thing—she was very keen on me starting to fly in a business class as soon as I could afford it.”
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If anyone was wondering what her ideal sandwich would look like, the Czech star spelled that out as well.
“Brown bread, chicken, bacon, cheese, lettuce, cranberries sauce, salt and pepper – all toasted (very important part, I hate cold sandwiches),” Krejcikova wrote.
Krejcikova was at her best in picking apart Ostapenko to secure her place in Wimbledon’s last four against expectations.
She will face Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals on Thursday.