Locker rooms thieves are targeting the world's top tennis
players and Wimbledon is the latest victim.
Players and coaches on the international circuit have suffered
at least 15 thefts this year from Melbourne to Paris, sparking
fears that an insider could be responsible.
The first to be hit at Wimbledon this week were former French
Open champion Albert Costa who had a bag of euros and dollars
stolen and French player Michael Llodra, who had his wallet
taken.
"We will try to do everything we can to ensure this doesn't
happen again on our premises," a Wimbledon spokesman said after the
robberies were reported.
Despite strict checks on who comes into the locker room on the
tour, these are just the latest in a rash of incidents that have
alarmed the governing body of men's tennis.
Asked if insiders might be to blame, ATP (Association of Tennis
Professionals) spokesman Andre Silva said: "We obviously don't know
who is doing it and I don't want to speculate."
He estimated that there had been about 15 thefts already this
year.
Czech player Radek Stepanek, the fiance of Switzerland's former
world number one Martina Hingis, had 5,000 euros ($6,723) taken in
Monte Carlo.
Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman, reported the loss of personal effects
at both the Australian and French Open tournaments.
Frenchman Sebastian Grosjean was one of three players robbed at
the Queen's grasscourt tournament in London earlier this month.
ATP spokesman Silva said: "We do take it seriously. Last year we
passed a rule tightening up credentials in the locker room. Players
have to tell us who their coaches are.
"We want this to be resolved but we need the players to work
with us in a combined effort. The players' council will be involved
in any new decision as this involves what we feel is a very private
area for them."
(China Daily via Agencies July 2, 2007)