Interview with rising star Michelle Larcher de Brito

HEAD player Michelle Larcher de Brito, a Bollettieri Tennis Academy student, has entered her name in the record books as a result of her first round win over Meghann Shaughnessy at the 2007 Sony Ericsson Open. De Brito, playing with the new MicroGel Extreme, becomes the seventh youngest player of all time to win a main draw WTA Tour match.

Check out the interview after her first round victory:
Q. What can you say about your first round match?
Michelle Larcher de Brito (MLdB): I just went out there and just tried my best. This is my first tournament here, so I knew it wasn't going to be a very easy match, but I played my best.

Q. How does it feel competing against someone twice your age?
MLdB: It's not easy, because she's a lot stronger and taller and a lot more experienced than me. I just try not to worry about who's on the other side of the court. Just try to hit the ball and look for the ball.

Q. The moment that you won, you fell down. Tell us what your emotions were? What were you thinking to yourself?
MLdB: I wasn't really thinking. Like I didn't know what to think at the moment. This is a really big tournament, and winning first round I was just so happy. I mean, I couldn't believe it.

Q. When did you come to Bollettieri's?
MLdB: I came here when I was nine. Been training and living here since I was nine.

Q. What part of your game are you most happy with?
MLdB: My groundstrokes. I'm pretty aggressive with my groundstrokes and my movement as well.

Q. What part of your game would you like to improve?
MLdB: My serve. I need to work on my serve and maybe get my first serve percentage up.

Q. Who's your favorite female player?
MLdB: Martina Hingis.

Q. Do you play any other sports, or did you at all?
MLdB: I really like soccer and also swimming. But I don't have much time for other sports.

Q. How about other things that 14-year-olds do?
MLdB: Yeah. A lot of talking on the phone. I try to balance out tennis and like my social life, and I do go to movies. I spend time with my friends.

Q. What's the last good movie you saw?
MLdB: My favorite movie is called When a Stranger Calls. It's a scary movie.

Q. Do you like scary movies?
MLdB: Not really. I just like that one.

Q. How about TV shows?
MLdB: I definitely love Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Q. How about music?
MLdB: Hip hop, rap. My favorite artist right now is Justin Timberlake.

Q. Do you have any good luck charms?
MLdB: I wear a necklace that I'm wearing right now. My grandmother gave it to me. It's just a cross and it has Mary on it. I play with it every single match.