Grunt control device lets Wimbledon fans turn down the volume of shrieking Sharapova and Co.

• Tennis fans listening to the radio online can also increase the commentary volume

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 2:33 PM on 30th June 2011

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Tennis fans who have suffered years of headaches from the incessant grunting of top players have finally got their wish - a device that fades out the squeals.

As a result of complaints about ear-piercing screams, the BBC has produced a noise-reduction programme called Wimbledon Net Mix, which allows internet users to turn down howling and increase commentary volume.

Wimbledon bosses have also admitted that the grunting of top tennis stars like Maria Sharapova, whose record-breaking screams often exceed 100 decibels, do make millions unhappy and want it reduced.

Screams of joy: BBC listeners have now got the chance to turn down the squeals of players like Maria Sharapova because so many find it off-putting

The free product is now available on BBC Radio Player and has a mixing desk allowing fans to fade up and down noises to get the perfect listening experience.

For the moment, Net Mix will only allow listeners to play with the sound on Centre Court matches.

Rupert Brun, the head of technology for the BBC’s Audio and Music department, admitted they had been inundated with complaints about grunting levels, so they quickly designed the listening tool.

'The BBC receives lots of complaints from the public regarding sound balance - with many of them wanting the sound of the commentators turned up and the noise for a match turned down.

Ecstatic: Chief Executive of Wimbledon, Ian Ritchie, says that it would be better for tennis if the screams and grunts of players were reduced

'Wimbledon was a clear choice to launch this product for as there are always so many comments about the amount of grunting from the players,' he said.

'Having known for a long time that broadcasters have a problem with balancing the ambient sounds of a sports match with the commentary, we felt we had to develop a tool which put the control back into the hands of the audience.'

Wimbledon chief Ian Ritchie said tennis officials would prefer to 'see less grunting'.

'The players have an ability to complain about it, if one player is grunting too much and the other player doesn’t like it and it is distracting, they can complain to the umpire,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'We have discussed it with the tours and we believe it is helpful to reduce the amount of grunting.

'We are one tournament in a global circuit. But we have made our views clear and we would like to see less of it.'

The BBC said Net Mix has received positive feedback and that it will consider using it during other sporting events and on its iPlayer.

Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio and Music, said: 'I hope listeners will try Net Mix and let us know if they prefer 5 Live Wimbledon coverage with less - or more - on court noise.

'This is the latest trial in an ongoing campaign to innovate in radio.'

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