Wimbledon 2009: Larcher de Brito disappoints audience with toned down noise

Despite the fact that lengthy, loud shrieks can be irritating on tennis courts, some of the spectators of the first round match featuring Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal at the All England Club were disappointed because the teenager toned down her voice. There had been so much media speculation as to whether she’ll be warned by Wimbledon officials for the noise.

The 16-year old teen sensation attracted media coverage since Roland Garros due to her unusually loud grunt. Her third round opponent at that time went as far as complaining to the umpire about the noise. However, Larcher de Brito said that she has no intention of stopping because “it’s been part of her game.”
“I started grunting so long ago that I don’t even remember when I started,” she said after dismissing Klara Zakapalova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 7-5 in the first round.

She may be subject of criticism from the public and other tennis legends but the Portuguese world no. 91 stood her ground.

“I like standing up for myself. I like being strong because I am strong. That’s my mentality, being tough, being feisty and fighting for what I believe in,” she was quoted as saying.