This is ever as it has been, though the specifics have changed over time. If they stay within the limits of decorum expected of everyone, fine, if not, obviously they get kicked out or similar. I do not think this is something new, nor exclusive to tennis, nor exclusive to women, nor exclusive to sports. Such is fame, and regrettably the difference between the well-meaning and the actual stalker is not always clear, and is muddled by the fact that we live in a free country.
3
Celebrity is definitely a two-edged sword. I'm all for giving them a pass when they, or their personnel, trounce one of these 'molesters'. Where is Paul Lazzaro when you need him?
I had no idea this was such a prevalent problem. This story really bothers me because it shows that for women, success is dangerous. I have two daughters and I'd really like it if they could strive to do well at whatever they choose to do in life without ever having to worry about this sort of thing.
6
With regard to Roger Federer and lame security at the French Open: Anyone remember Balt Colt Mike Curtis and the would-be ball-stealing fan all those years ago?
This is another sign of the graceless times in which we live. Social media + predatory behavior on the rise = a frightening situation for everyone.
10
Rosie - A simple statement, but so right. I admire your comment.
1
I have never understood why so many men around this planet hate women with such murderous rage. After all, most mothers in the world are the baby's first (and often most profound) sources of love, nourishment and tenderness.
There is a dark and pernicious misogyny in the psyches of a certain percentage of males. And despite women's many gains of rights and opportunities in the industrialized world, they continue to be harmed and haunted for reasons that seem inexplicable to any sane person.
There is a dark and pernicious misogyny in the psyches of a certain percentage of males. And despite women's many gains of rights and opportunities in the industrialized world, they continue to be harmed and haunted for reasons that seem inexplicable to any sane person.
14
How sad for Halop, a great young player. The Danes should step in and stop the jerk who is threatening her. But then Seles's attacker didn't spend a day in jail.
4
The players safety is such an issue nowadays that at the Washington Kastles' World Team Tennis matches, where they always hold a team autograph session after each match, the session is ONLY for 16 years of age and UNDER, even though they have big beefy security guards standing next to the autograph tables. I know Serena and Venus play for the Kastles, and Hingis, but it's rather insulting for the team to assume all adults are potential criminals. Heck, they don't even allow the PARENTS of the kids to accompany their children to the autograph table! They have the parents cordoned off in the corner like cows in a pen. THAT'S going too far. So we're punished for the actions of a crazed few.
2
Many tennis fans. including those in the mainstream, personalize professional matches. In particular, they tend to sort the players into good guys and bad guys. Serena has become a good guy for most. Sharapova is a leading bad buy. It sometimes approaches the lunacy of professional wrestling. And if lunatics in the stands can get too close to their heroes and villains another Seles incident could happen.
2
That is not a reason for cordoning off the players entirely. Most people are well-meaning, may root and suffer disappointment but cast it off quickly, and do not worship at the feet of professional athletes. Their kids often do, and it does seem unfair to me that there should be huge restrictions, never lifted, as the price of a single lunatic.
The threat is real on court. It's up to the WTA to protect the players. Off-court, as celebrities, or at least public figures, players have to employ their own security measures.
Monica Seles: She won 8 Grand Slams by 1993 - as a teenager!
Then, in April of that year, in Hamburg, Günter Parche stabbed Seles on court and he never spent a day in jail. Ms. Seles left tennis for two years and only won one more Slam, the Australian, in 1996. A sports tragedy, yes. But, today, Monica Seles is a lovely woman and a compassionate humanitarian.
Monica Seles: She won 8 Grand Slams by 1993 - as a teenager!
Then, in April of that year, in Hamburg, Günter Parche stabbed Seles on court and he never spent a day in jail. Ms. Seles left tennis for two years and only won one more Slam, the Australian, in 1996. A sports tragedy, yes. But, today, Monica Seles is a lovely woman and a compassionate humanitarian.
5
The lack of security at courtside is very easy to fix. When I attend college basketball games, every time there is a timeout called I see a chain of men wearing yellow SECURITY windbreakers standing up facing the crowd. I don't mean 1-2-3 men - I mean a CHAIN of them. Dozens of men all with one objective: to keep the players and coaches safe from riffraff and thugs who want to cause them harm.
Do the same thing at tennis tournaments. Dress them in appropriate attire and have them stand between the fans and the court. And have armed police officers in waiting areas just in case some nutcase like the guy who rushed onto the court and tried to get Roger Federer to pose for a selfie with him. No security came to Roger's aid, and that was tragic. And wrong.
You tournament organizers need to step up to the plate and keep the participants safe both on the court and in their hotels, in town, etc. Do the right thing and spend a few dollars on adequate security and police protection.
Do the same thing at tennis tournaments. Dress them in appropriate attire and have them stand between the fans and the court. And have armed police officers in waiting areas just in case some nutcase like the guy who rushed onto the court and tried to get Roger Federer to pose for a selfie with him. No security came to Roger's aid, and that was tragic. And wrong.
You tournament organizers need to step up to the plate and keep the participants safe both on the court and in their hotels, in town, etc. Do the right thing and spend a few dollars on adequate security and police protection.
9
An interesting idea. How do you make them invisible to the TV cameras during play? Unless, of course, every shot played in professional tennis bordered in yellow?
Remember Officer Darren Wilson? He was the police officer exonerated in the shooting of Michael Brown. But not before he was forced to resign because not only did he receive numerous death threats but his family did as well. His fellow officers provided protection for his home. In our age of instant communication anyone who gains notoriety runs the risk of being the target of these "disturbed" people.
3
Especially when our media conveys that it is socially acceptable to threaten, harass, and otherwise indulge in a "public hating" on someone.
This was really one of the great tragedies of the game. What I find interesting, was the year before. Seles was dominating the women's game and would have won Wimbledon that year, had she just been "Seles", but complaints about her grunts, she played the match in complete silence and it was like samson losing his hair. Her game was not there and then the next year the stabbing. I'm absolutely convinced that Graf would not have as many grand slams had that not happened to Monica. What a shame! Robbed of a potential grand slam as well as many other slams she would have won, given she was dominating everyone at the time of the stabbing.
9
Sports is a zero-sum game. One person's misfortune is another's luck, and they come in equal portions. Marty Glickman complained for a half century that (so he claimed) Avery Brundage deprived him of the chance of winning a gold medal on the US relay team in 1936, but the medal was Jesse Owens's fourth and established his legend. Everyone doesn't get a trophy. What happened to Seles was horrible, but this wasn't Tonya Harding, Steffi Graf had nothing to do with it and could only play whoever was placed on the opposite court against her.
1
Listen these players have entourages of 3 or 4 men and they should be quite protected! Let's worry about the woman who come home late at night from work or partying. The tennis players are fine.....
2
Publicizing the dangers faced by famous athletes does not diminish the threats faced by "ordinary" women; we can have compassion and work for the safety of BOTH groups. I agree that celebrities have greater access to protection, but the risk to them is likely much greater due to their fame (social media is a stalker's best friend).
Would you like an entourage accompanying you everywhere?
Would you like an entourage accompanying you everywhere?
15
I've nothing against any of the non-athlete working (or partying) women and I hope they get home safe every night. That said, I very much doubt their list of stalkers is as long or as dedicated as the women in this article. True, Serena may have 3 or 4 men and hopefully she's "quite protected." But what if you had had a stalker appear in your home or hotel room in the past? Then what if I told you there was a list of 20-30 other men just as crazy who wanted to kill/harm/marry you for their own crazy reasons. Would you feel "quite safe" just because 3 or 4 men are always with you? They only have to fail you once... Maybe you shouldn't be so flippant about other people's safety concerns.
3
There are safety concerns for Men's tennis as well.
In Paris, fans also "attacked" Federer on the court due to the slack security.
In Paris, fans also "attacked" Federer on the court due to the slack security.
1
You are absolutely right. I saw what the fan did, trying to take a selfie with Roger. And the lame security guy stood only a few feet away and did nothing! The tournament organizers need to do A LOT MORE to protect the players, both men and women.
3
It's all about money. If the WTA has not done more to increase security, perhaps the reason why is that WTA players are either satisfied with the current level of security, or, they are not willing to advocate for more. I imagine they have player representatives - I thought Venus Williams was one - and those individuals could put more pressure on WTA.
Also, if Serena Williams felt security at tournaments was lacking, I imagine she, of all the players, would have a great amount of influence to get things changed. She could, for example request certain security measures be adopted, or, she would not appear to play at the next scheduled tournament. Many other WTA players could do the same.
Also, if Serena Williams felt security at tournaments was lacking, I imagine she, of all the players, would have a great amount of influence to get things changed. She could, for example request certain security measures be adopted, or, she would not appear to play at the next scheduled tournament. Many other WTA players could do the same.
2
We live in a stalker culture largely perpetrated by the media in an attempt to feed the public's prurient interest in famous people. Though I'll get a ration of grief for saying it women are just as likely to exhibit this behavior as men though perhaps not at the extreme level. Remember Elvis and the Beatles? Some of us would never interfere with anyone's privacy and see doing so as an indication of thoughtlessness, immaturity, and an amazing lack of self awareness. Not to mention a total lack of manners. In todays culture invading people's privacy and harassing public figures is acceptable. We live in a culture dominated by a tabloid mentality.
22
True to a certain point. But no one knifed Prsely or the Beatles. I remember there was some woman who kept showing up at David Susskind's house, but no female I can recall attacked a leading male on the tennis court or in his home.
2
"Though I'll get a ration of grief for saying it women are just as likely to exhibit this behavior as men though perhaps not at the extreme level. Remember Elvis and the Beatles?"
Yes, I remember Elvis and the Beatles.
John Lennon shot on his doorstep by a man, 1980.
George Harrison stabbed in his home by a man, 1999.
Women are not just as likely to do this. That is just not true.
This is an overwhelmingly male problem.
Yes, I remember Elvis and the Beatles.
John Lennon shot on his doorstep by a man, 1980.
George Harrison stabbed in his home by a man, 1999.
Women are not just as likely to do this. That is just not true.
This is an overwhelmingly male problem.
6
Re: "No one knifed the Beatles." On the evening of December 30th, 1999, George Harrison and his wife were attacked in their home by a crazed stalker named Michael Abrams. Harrison barely survived serious knife wounds. And then there was Lennon...
2
Let me get this straight. Carolyn received a new pair of sneakers from Adidas and there was a handwritten personal note from "Andy". Isn't that alarming?
Anytime I read about Monica Seles I think of what that crazy German did. At the time this happened, Monica was dominating women's tennis and there is no reason to believe she would not have gone on to win so many more slams. What could have been..
I know it's not Steffi's fault but every time I see or read about her, I think about her benefiting from a despicable act from a crazed fan.
Anytime I read about Monica Seles I think of what that crazy German did. At the time this happened, Monica was dominating women's tennis and there is no reason to believe she would not have gone on to win so many more slams. What could have been..
I know it's not Steffi's fault but every time I see or read about her, I think about her benefiting from a despicable act from a crazed fan.
5
In our culture it's perfectly normal for young girls to have crushes that are forever unrealized. Unrequited love is a normal, healthy part of female adolescence. Think about Beatlemania or Bieber Fever. These girls don't grow up to be crazy stalker killer types. They grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted adult women, because women in our culture don't grow up with the expectation that all of their desires will be met.
It's completely different for men, who often believe they are entitled to whatever they desire. Our culture needs to teach men how to artfully deal with disappointment, so that the women who become the objects of male desire don't become victims of male aggression.
It's completely different for men, who often believe they are entitled to whatever they desire. Our culture needs to teach men how to artfully deal with disappointment, so that the women who become the objects of male desire don't become victims of male aggression.
85
As the literature of forensic psychiatry and psychology make clear, male stalkers are generally NOT simply men who believe they should have whatever they want. The overwhelming majority of them suffer from some form of mental illness. They may or may not incorporate certain cultural values, including male privilege, into their delusional and/or obsessional psychopathology, but they are not just guys who feel entitled. Of course, that doesn't justify their behavior or mean that they should not be subject to some form of social control, up to and including institutionalization.
1
Yes, we learn this from our mothers, fathers, teachers, and other normal people.
I have never believed that I am entitled to whatever I desire, and I have never met a man who believed such a thing, to my knowledge.
Are men on balance more aggressive than women, in many areas? Of course; the rest of what you say is rubbish, sorry.
I have never believed that I am entitled to whatever I desire, and I have never met a man who believed such a thing, to my knowledge.
Are men on balance more aggressive than women, in many areas? Of course; the rest of what you say is rubbish, sorry.
9
You write, in this context, that "t's completely different for men,..."
Sounds not only untrue but sexist as well.
Sounds not only untrue but sexist as well.
3
This is sad. I've got some ideas for how to deal with these people, and the most sympathetic approach among them involves time spent in an ISIS labor camp. In the meantime, could we at least pass laws that arrest on the spot and jail anyone who shouts "in the hole" or "you're the man" at golf tournaments, and anyone over the age of 16 who asks anyone in any sport or line of entertainment for an autograph?
1
I am still heartbroken every time I think about how Monica Seles’s outstanding career was so unfairly and brutally cut short. I know she returned to the game, but she lost two years at the height of her career and, when she returned, was never the same player.
Over 20 years after Seles’s assault, security at tournaments still has its flaws, imo. The article mentions the fan approaching Federer at this year’s French Open. In 2013 someone (also at the French) was able to run onto the court – carrying a lit flare – and get pretty close to Rafa before being subdued. And what seems often overlooked imo is court-side security at the lower-tiered tournaments, as well as the proximity of crowds on the outer courts at the majors, where security at times seems nonexistent.
As for the off-court security threats, which seem more endemic to women players, the threats seem at least partly heightened because players function individually on the tour, having to make their own way when it comes to traveling, lodging, etc. Perhaps the WTA can take some steps to reduce that isolation “between matches” for their players, like booking blocks of rooms in particular hotels, instituting a “travel buddy system” that players can use, etc., where there can then be “safety in numbers.” (Perhaps it already has, but I'm not aware of such measures.)
Over 20 years after Seles’s assault, security at tournaments still has its flaws, imo. The article mentions the fan approaching Federer at this year’s French Open. In 2013 someone (also at the French) was able to run onto the court – carrying a lit flare – and get pretty close to Rafa before being subdued. And what seems often overlooked imo is court-side security at the lower-tiered tournaments, as well as the proximity of crowds on the outer courts at the majors, where security at times seems nonexistent.
As for the off-court security threats, which seem more endemic to women players, the threats seem at least partly heightened because players function individually on the tour, having to make their own way when it comes to traveling, lodging, etc. Perhaps the WTA can take some steps to reduce that isolation “between matches” for their players, like booking blocks of rooms in particular hotels, instituting a “travel buddy system” that players can use, etc., where there can then be “safety in numbers.” (Perhaps it already has, but I'm not aware of such measures.)
21
I feel for Monica, too. Who knows how much more she would have accomplished, both on the court and the peace she was robbed of off the court as well, having to think about this traumatic experience? On the positive side, I met her at her Tennis Hall of Fame induction in Newport a few years ago ( one of my favorite annual events) and she was very nice. She seemed at peace to me, and I was happy for her.
9
Veritas, That is really great to hear. I wasn’t a big fan of hers at first. Maybe because her style was such a departure from what we saw in women’s game at the time, actually quite groundbreaking in retrospect. Who knows, maybe it was partly due to the “grunt,” which was also new but in hindsight seems quite modest by today’s standards. But she always struck me as a great ambassador for the sport. When she came back and was obviously searching and struggling to regain her lost form, she always carried herself professionally, never a trace of bitterness even if she lost in an early round. To me that was probably when I came to fully realize what had been lost to the game.
Thanks for passing that along!
Thanks for passing that along!
3
She was very nice to me and also MUCH taller in person than I expected! Her baby face on TV made her seem shorter to me than she is in person. And she got engaged earlier this month to former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Galisano, who is a billionaire. They've been together since 2009. So it seems everything's coming together for Monica now.
Monica Seles' career was completely derailed by the stabbing. She was physically injured and emotionally injured. I'm sure that one reason she had a hard time coming back was the feeling that it could happen again or maybe that because she was a woman her security needs weren't taken as seriously. Somehow the sports world must make it clear that stalking of any sports figure is unacceptable. The same goes for any celebrity no matter what field they are in. Writing letters is fine but when it gets to stalking it's not something that should be dismissed.
22
Not much that can be done to increase security for female tennis pros? Really? What about hiring more security guards, putting up more and higher fences around the tennis courts and increasing court surveillance via cameras and remote microphones? I can't believe this is not a solvable problem. Monica Seles's career was effective ruined by that crazed fan, and he didn't even physically harm her very much. It was the emotional and psychological damage that made her lose her drive and nerve on court.
24
Social media has certainly contributed to this, if only in a small way. Players broadcast their locations throughout the day, and they publicize their plans for the next day. It's nice to be available for legitimate fans who just want to wish the players well, or get an autograph. But, since it could also give a dangerous stalker an advantage, it might be best to keep a player's schedule a little more quiet. Giving up a little face-time with real fans is surely worth increased personal safety.
6
Agreed, except for the part that reads, "if only in a small way." Unfortunately, social media has contributed to this in a BIG way. Despite my reader posting right now being through social media, there's no doubt that the world was before, and would be in the future, better off without social media.
20
Well apart from the timely article I am pleased that for once someone in the media confirms that Serena Williams was not dodging a drug tester, but was indeed dodging a stalker.
Why the blazes this information could not come out before to shut up the doping believers I don't know. Buy hey I doubt facts will change their made up minds about one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Why the blazes this information could not come out before to shut up the doping believers I don't know. Buy hey I doubt facts will change their made up minds about one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
40
I would think having athlete security at a tennis stadium would be fairly simple compared, to say, a golf course.
11
You would think so... but ask Roger Federer about "selfie guy" at the French Open.
1
There is a worldwide male culture that thinks it's perfectly acceptable to force itself on unwilling women and when these women don't respond in a positive manner, then attack, maim or kill. Here are the tennis stars...but just recently Asian women attacked by a rejected would be suitor using a hammer in a plastic bag. Or in LA the killer who mowed people down because he had been rejected by blond women...day to day women are aggressively cat called on city streets. It's ugly and it needs to stop.
105
Normal men don't stalk or attack. They may catcall, which is rude, but it has more to do with sensibility and ignorance than being unbalanced.
2
Please don't stereotype an entire gender with such terms as "worldwide male culture." Would you attribute the barbarism of Islamic extremists to a "worldwide Muslim culture"?
11
Perhaps you haven't taken a moment to think of what it is like to be on the receiving end of "rude" comments. The woman in question is never quite sure if the guy is just going continue pass her or make a scene or follow her for blocks just because.
As for worldwide male cullture, women attacking men on the streets anywhere is a "man biting dog" story, possible but not probable whereas the reverse is sadly played everyday across the world, from using rape as a tactic of war to throwing acid at a woman who refuses a man's attention, to killing young women in vast numbers in Mexico.
As for worldwide male cullture, women attacking men on the streets anywhere is a "man biting dog" story, possible but not probable whereas the reverse is sadly played everyday across the world, from using rape as a tactic of war to throwing acid at a woman who refuses a man's attention, to killing young women in vast numbers in Mexico.
40
There's a general malaise and mean spiritedness sweeping through our Culture! Many of us are seeing it on our roads, in our day to day dealings with others, especially strangers, and when was the last time someone in front of you, whether man or woman, held the door for you?! Sure, overall crime is down, but the unhappiness out there is surely up! Why wouldn't we not expect this in the supposedly genteel sport of tennis, and the women's game?!...And a simple case in point is the game itself! Anyone who remembers the atmosphere at the big tournaments in Forest Hiils, and compares those times ( even with the fact that The Club once excluded a number of us!) and compares those times to the Carnival and three ring circus which the Open now has become in Flushing would get my drift!
5
[[Counter Measures Old Borough Park, NY
There's a general malaise and mean spiritedness sweeping through our Culture! Many of us are seeing it on our roads, in our day to day dealings with others, especially strangers, and when was the last time someone in front of you, whether man or woman, held the door for you?!]]
You should BE the change that you seek in others. Bask in the gratitude you receive after holding open a door or allowing someone to merge in traffic.
There's a general malaise and mean spiritedness sweeping through our Culture! Many of us are seeing it on our roads, in our day to day dealings with others, especially strangers, and when was the last time someone in front of you, whether man or woman, held the door for you?!]]
You should BE the change that you seek in others. Bask in the gratitude you receive after holding open a door or allowing someone to merge in traffic.
3
Not to contradict the gist of your overall point, which I agree with. But just to underline the complexity of the situation: I have opened doors for women, recently. And in some cases I've gotten such a hateful earful from those women (saying essentially that I'm chauvinistic) that I now hesitate to do so. The aggression is not one sided.
Being polite in the old fashioned sense has now become offensive. It's eggshells out there.
Being polite in the old fashioned sense has now become offensive. It's eggshells out there.
10
You're off a bit 3rd Coast. Counter Measure is spot on. The anonymousness of crudeness hiding behind a keyboard is Pronounced and seems to be having a spill over effect in public... One would hope there would be more graciousness in life around us and making the first gesture is the first step... but.
3
What a nightmare. As if there's not enough stress on these players! How distracting to have to think about security, of all things, when you're in the heat of competition. What an awful side effect of fame.
44