I have been a fan of Women's Tennis for as long as I can remember.  I have been avidly watching the US OPEN Tennis Championships at Flushing, New York this week... and have really been enjoying taking the time out of my days and nights... just to sit and enjoy.

Today there have been some rain delays.  Actually, for pretty much the entire day.  Sooo... the folks at the Open have been re-playing some past matches... again... very enjoyable.  BUT...

Today... earlier... there was a replay of a 1999 match between Serena Williams and Martina Hingis.  Perhaps because it was ten years ago... something that has bothered me for some years... really jumped out at me.  It is the crazy, very distracting SCREAMING that many of today's women tennis stars indulge themselves in. 

In this match between Ms Hingis and Ms Williams... which Serena won... the screaming was very evident.  Martina Hingis... just simply played excellent tennis.  Serena hit the ball to Martina... and Martina hit it back.  When it was Martina's turn to serve... she simply tossed the ball up in the air... and hit it.  But... when Serena was doing the hitting... this incredible SCREAM came forth.  When Martina hit the ball... again... just exceptional tennis.  No screams... no noise.  I wonder how much all that screaming... way back then... ten years ago... bothered Ms Hingis ?

Then... back to the present.  This evening the Open folks are replaying a match from a few days ago.  The 17 year old sensation Melanie Oudin was playing Maria Sharapova.  Sharapova... some years ago... was the then-current "darling" of the tennis world... accomplishing so much at such an early age.  Now... Melanie Oudin is doing the same.  Surprising everyone with her adept play... and exhibiting a court awareness way beyond her years.

Back to the match.  Once again... every time Melanie hit the ball... nothing but superb tennis.  Whenever Maria Sharapova hit the ball... the SHREIK was so loud... it had to be distracting.  I know that even with me sitting at home, watching the match, I was distracted.

So... for the many'eth time... why all the SCREAMING ?  If I were playing against one of the screamers... I would love to lodge a protest.  Unsportsmanlike conduct.  The rules need to be changed.  The screams must be stopped. 

Yes, I know.  Picky, picky, picky.  But... fair... is fair. 

I know... it will take a while.  Some habits can take a long time to change.  BUT... nothing can change a habit quite like being given a penalty.  First scream... a warning.  Second scream... perhaps take away that player's "second serve."  But... for the third scream, and every scream thereafter... the screamer loses a point.  Sooner or later... the screamer will lose either a game because of it, or maybe a set, or maybe even lose an entire match if the scream comes at just the right... or wrong critical moment.

Women's tennis fans.  What do you think ?  Should the screaming be deemed "unsportsmanlike conduct ?  I say yes.  Should it be stopped ?  Again, I say yes !