Grunting Could Cost Tennis Players

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - It has become commonplace for tennis players to let out loud grunts as they smash the ball back to their opponents during a match, but the noise makers may need to start toning it down.

The International Tennis Federation is considering whether to make "noise hindrance" part of its code of conduct, according to the London Daily Mail .

If the noise code is implemented, the penalties levied could reportedly be serious enough to alter a match.

Already, officials can award a point against grunting players if they are deemed to have hindered an opponent. If the federation moves ahead with its plan, persistent grunters would forfeit points first, then a whole game and ultimately perhaps a whole match.

While both men and women have been known to grunt on the court, the focus is mainly on the women's side as many of the top competitors can be heard making loud noises during matches.

Former No. 1 ranked player and Wimbeldon champion Maria Sharapova is considered one of the biggest offenders. Sharapova's grunts have been recorded at 101 decibels -- almost as loud as a lion's 110-decibel roar.