Sharapova Turns Her Gaze on Wimbledon Security (Loser Streaker Alert)

yahoo.news ^ | 7/4/06 | Angus MacKinnon

[beyond the sea]

LONDON (AFP) - Maria Sharapova turned the spotlight on to a lapse in Wimbledon security after her quarter-final win was interrupted by a streaker who performed a hand-stand in front of the Royal Box.

The appearance of a naked young man mid-way through the second set of the Russian's match against compatriot Elena Dementieva was the biggest surprise on a day in which the top four women's seeds -- Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Sharapova -- booked their semi-final spots.

Sharapova said she had never felt alarmed but admitted she had been surprised by how long he had been allowed to remain within a few yards of her on Centre Court, wearing just white training shoes and black socks.

"When you look at the security guards and they are laughing, it is hard to be frightened then," Sharapova said, before joking: "I didn't really look at the guy, thank God, I didn't want to look at all the details!"

Pushed on the subject however, Sharapova, who has had to deal with the unwelcome attention from stalkers in the past, suggested she was not totally happy with the handling of the incident.

"What I would have liked was that he didn't do a cartwheel and run around the court for about ten seconds," she said.

"I'm sure they (Wimbledon officials) know it was a little bit too long."

[beyond the sea]

"When you look at the security guards and they are laughing, it is hard to be frightened then.'

"I didn't really look at the guy, thank God, I didn't want to look at all the details!"

"What I would have liked was that he didn't do a cartwheel and run around the court for about ten seconds."

****

"I'm sure they (Wimbledon officials) know it was a little bit too long." -----

The guy's misbehavior on the court was the only thing that was a lttle too long.

[cmsgop]

What's a Sharapova ???

[FlJoePa]

[burroak]

"What's a Sharpova?"

It's an Anna Kornnikova(sic) that can play tennis.

[Mr. K]

since you asked...

[Clint N. Suhks]

Since you asked.

[Mr. K]

Kornikova plays tennis???

[beyond the sea]

http://sportsillustrated.This is a Sharapova

cnn.com/features/2006_swimsuit/models/06_maria_sharapova_9.html

[BRITinUSA]

I can understand her concern, if someone can get onto the court and stay there for that amount of time then it is a security problem. The fact that he was streaking is neither here nor there. He was on the court and close to one of the players.

Monica Seles was stabbed by a spectator in 1993. The officials at this competition should pay more attention to security lapses such as this one.

[ladyjane]

So where are the pictures of the guy doing the handstand?

[beyond the sea]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060614/ids_photos_sp/r2748119341.jpg

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I saw much of the last set, but I guess I tuned in after the streaker,...missed that...saw Maria struggling from up 4 - 1 to the final win...

Was distracted by jumping to the space launch which went very well!

[beyond the sea]

It was Clinton reliving his Oxford days.

[burroak]

Precisely

[burroak]

Reports have it that it was no big thing.

[FlJoePa]

Anna was once ranked as high as 7th in the world. What's your world ranking at your profession? I ask the same question of anyone that thinks Anna couldn't "play tennis."

[beyond the sea]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1660214/posts

Post # 4

[They'reGone2000]

It was really better left to one's imagination...

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Monica Seles was stabbed by a spectator in 1993.

Please point out it was not a streaker ;-)

[al baby]

I like that may i use it

[DCPatriot]

"I'm sure they (Wimbledon officials) know it was a little bit too long."

I thought she said she didn't look!! ;^)

[ErnBatavia]

Black socks with sneakers are so gauche...

[Clint N. Suhks]

Handstand pic

[al baby]

is balls are going 95 miles per hour in that pic

[aculeus]

Compare and contrast celebrities' reactions to a streaker:

"I'm sure they (Wimbledon officials) know it was a little bit too long."

-- Maria Sharapova, 2006 Wimbledon

"The only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping ... and showing his shortcomings.”

-- David Niven, 1974 Oscars

[F15Eagle]

It's an Anna Kornnikova(sic) that can play tennis.

Excellent. I hadn't noticed they played sports. ;)

[F15Eagle]

lol

[Clint N. Suhks]

[Irish_Thatcherite]

LOL!!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

hehehe...

[ladyjane]

He's in pretty good shape!

Any more pics?

[neb52]

The two ladies should of kept playing and tried to hit him! :P

[Clint N. Suhks]

Any more pics?

Yeah sure!

[beyond the sea]

The guy was in his mid-20's????

More like mid-40's.

[beyond the sea]

The guy was in his mid-20's????

More like mid-40's.

[G Larry]

Black socks with white shoes?

Bad form!

[beyond the sea]

He was revealed as DJ Sander Lantinga, 29, from Holland, who had been sat two rows back from the court. He had been wearing an outfit held together with velcro that he was able to whip off in a matter of seconds.

"streaker --- an outfit held together with velcro that he was able to whip off in a matter of seconds"

--- this guy could probably whip off a lot of things in a matter of seconds.

;-)

[beyond the sea]

Airing it all out.

[beyond the sea]

That's the BEST pic! So beautiful and feminine.

What is the url for that????

I need that on my wall!

;-)

[Irish_Thatcherite]

hehe, it reminds me of Brave New World - Lenina Crowne could do the same thing with a whole load of zips!!

[beyond the sea]

lol

[Irish_Thatcherite]

;)

[Dick Vomer]

[DJ MacWoW]

Post 18. And I think he looks flabby.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Nice!! :D

[burroak]

I'd give him about a 3.5 - degree of dificulty was low and form was poor.
Nice bridge on the fingers, legs not straight, knees apart, and toes not pointed.

I think the 3.5 would have covered any other pertinent measures, also.

[beyond the sea]

"Splash"

[beyond the sea]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060705/ap_on_sp_te_ga_su/ten_wimbledon_161

WIMBLEDON, England - About the only thing that made Maria Sharapova flinch during her Wimbledon quarterfinal was the streaker prancing around on court. Sharapova lost three of the next four games — coincidence, perhaps? — before finishing off a 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 7 Elena Dementieva on Tuesday to reach the semifinals at the All England Club for the third straight year.

"I heard the crowd go a little wild, and I looked back and saw the man jumping up and down. It took the crowd a point or two to settle down, but I'm pretty good at keeping my focus. I don't let things like that bother me too much," the 2004 Wimbledon champion said. "Hey, you guys wanted some entertainment during a women's match — you got some."

[midnoon]

O.K. folks, Stop posting pics of my would-be girlfriend! I'm the only stalker she needs. Thanks. :)

[ladyjane]

Flabby? You think he looks flabby?

He looks pretty fit in the second picture.

You've been spoiled girl.