Wimbledon's scream queen 'won't get distracted'

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2009

LONDON (AFP) — Portuguese scream queen Michelle Larcher de Brito insists the controversy over her screeching won't distract her from making a big noise at Wimbledon.

Larcher de Brito had to endure a barrage of questions over her habit of making a high-pitched wailing noise during rallies after marking her All England Club debut with a 6-2, 7-5 first round victory over Klara Zakopalova on Monday.

The 16-year-old was under the microscope after causing a major storm at this year's French Open when she screamed and grunted so loudly that she was booed off court after her opponent Aravane Rezai complained to the umpire.

Larcher de Brito was immediately compared to notorious grunters Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova, with the International Tennis Federation responding by...