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| October 10, 2001 | Wednesday | Rajab 22, 1422 |
Security beefed up at WTA events
LONDON, Oct 9: The governing body of women’s tennis (WTA) is increasing security at its tournaments after the U.S. air strikes on Afghanistan.
“In the wake of Sunday’s military action in Afghanistan the WTA has been in contact with tournament promoters and staff throughout the world regarding the enhanced level of security at our events,” Bart McGuire, WTA Chief Executive Officer said in a statement.
“The tour will constantly monitor world events and is prepared to take additional measures as the situation may warrant.”
Many American players, including Venus and Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati, skipped tournaments abroad following the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
After those attacks the WTA relaxed the rules on fining players who failed to show up for tournaments, but reinstated the policy a week ago.
“For the moment, it is business as usual and we’re expecting players to honour commitments to tournaments,” Chris De Maria, tour vice president of communications, told Reuters in a telephone interview on Monday.
Many players are in Europe and Asia for this week’s tournaments in Germany and China.
WTA and tournament officials at the Filderstadt Grand Prix would not discuss details of their security, but German newspaper reports said the number of bodyguards assigned to players had been increased.
Venus Williams had pulled out of the Filderstadt event because she wanted to stay close to her family, the WTA confirmed, but five other Americans will be in action.
The line-up includes Australian and French Open champion Jennifer Capriati, world number three Lindsay Davenport and Meghann Shaugnessy.
Monica Seles, who returned to the tour last week and captured her 50th career title at the Japan Open in Tokyo, heads the field at the Shanghai Open.—Reuters
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