Posted on 07/04/2006 11:57:49 AM PDT by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
"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.
What's a Sharapova ???
"What's a Sharpova?"
It's an Anna Kornnikova(sic) that can play tennis.
Kornikova plays tennis???
cnn.com/features/2006_swimsuit/models/06_maria_sharapova_9.html
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.
So where are the pictures of the guy doing the handstand?
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!
It was Clinton reliving his Oxford days.
Precisely
Reports have it that it was no big thing.
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."
Post # 4
Monica Seles was stabbed by a spectator in 1993.
I like that may i use it
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