Game, set and snatch: thieves hit tennis aces

WIMBLEDON tennis stars are on the alert for thieves who have been targeting locker rooms on the ATP tour.

One top player claimed thieves have struck at a series of tournaments including the Artois at Queen’s Club earlier this month.

Players were so concerned they raised the issue with All England Tennis club officials before Wimbledon started.

But the Metropolitan Police and the All England Club said no thefts have been reported from changing rooms.

The alert was raised by 2006 semi-finalist Jonas Bjorkman who said he has been a victim.

Others who have reportedly been targeted include Jamie Murray, brother of Andy, and his doubles partner Eric Butorac.

Among the items said to have been stolen are Rolex watches, an iPod and players’ wallets.

Bjorkman told the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Florida: “It’s happened at Indian Wells, Key Biscayne, the Australian Open, the French Open, Queens.

“It’s become a very serious problem and we’re going to be bringing it up at the players meeting at Wimbledon.”

He added: “I had my wallet stolen at the Australian Open. If they just wanted the money so bad, okay.

“But they took my credit cards, my driver’s licence. I had to cancel all those things and it takes time to get everything redone.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said of 10 arrests made in the first two days of Wimbledon, one was for a theft.

He said the incident was not related to players.

He added that of three crimes reported at the tournament, none involved the theft of property from players.

An ATP spokesman said: “We are aware of this incident and we take security at ATP events very seriously. “The appropriate and relevant authorities are investigating.”