Posted on 06/20/2005 5:58:58 PM PDT by wagglebee
As Maria Sharapova prepared yesterday to defend her Wimbledon singles title, the All England Club confirmed that the tournament's most bankable star is being stalked.
A British man has been banned from the club's grounds for previously lunging at her during a tournament in America.
The Russian teenager said she was not worried about the threat from stalkers and felt "safe and secure" walking around Wimbledon.
But she admitted that she would not feel comfortable being on her own.
She is always accompanied by at least one minder and occasionally employs up to five bodyguards.
"I'm always around someone, I'm always with somebody. I always feel safe," she said.
"If I was worried every step I was taking, I don't think I would be walking around."
Sharapova, who will play her first-round match tomorrow, said she was unaware that a man had been barred from entering the All England Club, and that his photograph had been circulated to police and security staff.
"I haven't heard anything about that. I don't read the papers or anything," said Sharapova, 18, the second seed and world number two.
She said recently that, although she was not happy having bodyguards with her, she understood why she needed to have a high level of security.
"I'm not entirely comfortable being surrounded by security people," she said. "But I have to accept that it comes with the territory."
The supposed stalker is said to have jumped over a barrier at a tournament in Los Angeles last November, but was stopped by security guards before he reached Sharapova. He is then reported to have told a security guard that he wanted to "punch and kick her in the head" and that he "had some issues to sort out with Sharapova".
No charges were brought as he has a history of mental instability.
A spokesman for the All England Club confirmed last night that its solicitors had sent a letter to the man, who lives with his mother in Hove, East Sussex, informing him that he had been banned from Wimbledon.
Sharapova will defend her title in shoes decorated with studs of 18-carat gold and is considering extra security for them as well.
She disclosed that she had 10 pairs of the shoes, which have been designed for her by Nike, and cost between "600 dollars and 900 dollars" per pair.
"My shoes have 18-carat gold on the sides," she said. "That is something totally different.
"They shine unbelievably, and hopefully that can distract my opponents a little. There's nothing too valuable that I'm going to leave in the locker-room, except my shoes," she said with a laugh.
"I am going to ask the locker-room attendant to get me a safe for the shoes."
Sharapova said that she was excited about her dress, which will be pleated at the bottom and "pretty covered-up at the top".
"It's not as important to look good as it is to feel good. I've always loved fashion, and I've always loved to be different.
"I love to feel good in what I'm wearing.
"If you feel that something is wrong, or not quite right, then obviously that can affect you on court."
It is unlikely that Sharapova, who won her first grand slam title on Centre Court last July, will allow herself to be affected by stories of events off-court.
As well as a game that is suited to grass, with flat-hit strokes that skid through the back of the court, she is known on the international tennis tour for her astonishing determination and her will to win.
"It will be a lot harder for me this year having to defend the title," she said.
"Last year I was 17 and who expected me to win?
"This year I'm 18, I've more experience and there are going to be more expectations on me and that's normal as I am the world number two.
"I'd rather be number two in the world than number 30 and have no expectations.
"You want to be a champion, you are always going to be expected to win, that's normal."
"But I am just going to go out there and enjoy myself, have fun, take it all in and not worry about anything else that is going on."
Let me be the first to volunteer!
She won't lack for minders.
Bump
I know someone who will gladly volunteer :o)
Don't tell me you're one of "those people," Cyborg! :)
Not me but BTS would be happy to help the poor afflicted woman :-)
Okay, you had me worried for a second!
I am starting to believe that Russian domination wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.
Has she won any tournaments yet?
"Avert thine eyes Heavenward, Faustus!"
Amazing about Russian tennis these days. The top 20 tennis players in the world, and 7 are Russians.
I hope she plays well in the tournament. It's been quite a year for her since the last Wimbledon.
LOL. Rooting for her to do well.
Yes, she won last year's Wimbledon.
Well you can tell tennis is not on my must-see sports list.
Sounds like a FReepers' tiff.
Hey, dude, here's another uppity sportswoman, using her good looks to promote herself and her sport. Maybe you have some "advice" for her, too?
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