Sherapova responds to grunt claims

LONDON, July 5 (UPI) -- Tennis champion Maria Sharapova has responded to complaints that her grunting is distracting on the court.

Sharapova, winner of the 2004 Wimbledon tournament, defeated fellow Russian player Elena Dementieva Tuesday. After the match, Dementieva said that Sharapova's trademark screaming was distracting, the London Telegraph reported Wednesday.

"Personally, I think it's a little bit too much but that's the way she's been playing for a long time," said Dementieva. "I think the umpire should maybe step in and come down on her a little bit, but that's just the way she is."

Dementieva said she did not alert the umpire for fear of looking like a sore loser.

"But when you're losing 6-1 4-1 it doesn't look good if you're going to go up to the umpire and start talking about how loud she's screaming on the court."

However, Sharapova responded by saying she has no intention of changing her behavior.

"That's her opinion. I wouldn't change a thing. I've done this ever since I started playing tennis and I'm not going to change."