( CNN ) -- It is a noise that has become synonymous with watching top-level tennis -- the sound of ear-splitting shrieks and grunts as star players battle against each other in a bid to claim the sport 's biggest prizes . The yelps of three-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova and world No . 3 Victoria Azarenka have been the source of much conversation this week at the Australian Open in Melbourne -- the year 's first grand slam . It might reach a crescendo on Saturday when they meet in the women 's final , with the No . 1 ranking also at stake . `` About Maria , I mean , what can I say ? '' said eighth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in a press conference following her quarterfinal defeat to Belarus ' Azarenka on Tuesday . `` For sure that is pretty annoying and it 's just too loud . '' Who will be 2012 Australian Open victors ? Throughout her career -- which has included reaching No . 1 in the world , a breakthrough win aged 17 at Wimbledon in 2004 and two further grand slam titles -- Sharapova has been renowned for the volume of her on-court vocalizations . `` I 've heard it a few times over my career , '' the 24-year-old Russian said . `` You 've watched me grow up , you 've watched me play tennis . `` I 've been the same over the course of my career . No one important enough has told me to change or do something different . `` Right now there is no rule change . I do n't hear that there will be one , so it does n't really matter what my answer would be , would it ? '' At present , there are no WTA Tour rules which directly prohibit grunting . Female tennis ' governing body does , however , have regulations which outlaw hindrances . Rivals reunited : Kvitova faces Sharapova in semis . An involuntary hindrance would cover a player 's hat falling off , or a ball rolling from their pocket . In this instance , a let is called and the point is replayed . Any hindrance deemed deliberate by the umpire would result in the loss of a point . Although the issue of grunting is not mentioned in the International Tennis Federation 's 2012 rulebook , the WTA explained how they are attempting to coach the trait out of the next generation of players . `` Everyone who watches tennis knows grunting is a part of the game , and we are aware that some fans find it bothersome , '' read a WTA statement . `` We are currently in the process of exploring how to reduce excessive grunting , especially for younger players just starting out , without adversely affecting players who have developed their game under the current training . `` We do believe that we need to address the concerns expressed by some fans and take a careful look at our rules and education policies . '' Switzerland 's Martina Hingis retired in 2007 after a 13-year playing career which saw her claim five grand slam titles , including three successive Australian Open triumphs between 1997 and 1999 . The former world No . 1 , who is playing in the senior 's event in Melbourne , said the noises were more irksome for fans and viewers and largely go unnoticed by players . Djokovic downplays injury scare ahead of Murray rematch . But Hingis did admit to being baffled by some of the noises coming from the opposite end of the court . `` It 's just sometimes when they were stretching a little bit more , you 're like : 'What are you doing ? ' The more they had to stretch the louder it got , '' the 31-year-old explained . `` Or sometimes it 's like a heavy grunt and it 's on the service line and the ball does n't have any weight on it . But I think it 's more of an issue with the spectators . '' Due to the volume and unique nature of world No . 3 Azarenka 's screams , the Rod Laver Arena crowd took to mimicking her during a second round win over Australian Casey Dellacqua . `` Of course I hear it . I mean , I 'm not deaf , '' the 22-year-old joked . `` But it 's fine for me . I mean , I respect the crowd , whatever they do . I try to just be focused on my game . '' So , with the WTA focused on coaching grunting out of the next generation of talent , it looks as if opponents of Sharapova and Azarenka will have to put up with the deafening screams for the foreseeable future . Or start wearing ear plugs ...
Agnieszka Radwanska has criticized Maria Sharapova for grunting during matches . World No . 4 Sharapova has defended the noises , saying they are not against the rules . The WTA is attempting to coach grunting out of the next generation of talent . Victoria Azarenka 's shrieks were immitated by the crowd at the Australian Open .