GRUNTING'S OVA THE TOP

THE MOLE

Edited By David James  23/12/2007

A cunning plan is being devised to stop Maria Sharapova grunting when she exerts herself.

Judy Dalton, a Wimbledon finalist in 1968, believes a locker-room pact is needed to end what she considers a blight on the modern game.

"The other girls should say, 'Fine, I'll forfeit the match'. I find it absolutely excruciating, and there's so many people that can't stand watching Sharapova, because the noise is just so bad."

And Australian legend John Newcombe believes the grunting epidemic should be described as "cheating".