The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : `Siberian Siren' too loud?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004

Sport

Sport - Tennis

`Siberian Siren' too loud?

LONDON, JULY 4. Maria Sharapova has been labelled the "Queen of Scream" at Wimbledon.

Sharapova's image was splashed all over British TV and newspapers on Friday after the 17-year-old Russian beat Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals and became the third-youngest Wimbledon women's finalist.

The Daily Mail focussed on the "earsplitting shrieks" that occasionally accompany Sharapova's shots, saying they were among the loudest recorded on Centre Court.

"On her way to victory, the `Queen of Scream,' as she is deservedly known, reached an astonishing 86.7 decibels," the paper reported.

Sharapova said that the `gruntometer' used to record her shrieks was "silly" and that she was not bothered about "what other people are doing with their little machines."

The Mail said Sharapova's shrieking was louder than a revving motorcycle.

`Wimbledome' to be in place from 2009

The local government council last week approved plans to build a retractable roof over the 82-year-old Centre Court at Wimbledon, giving the final clearance to a project scheduled to be completed in 2009.

The roof will allow play in weather such as Friday's rain, which disrupted the men's semifinals. — AP

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