Seles in fresh security scare

Seles did not complain about the incident

By BBC Sport Online's Stephen Wood

Fresh security fears are likely to surface after Monica Seles was approached by a member of the public while she was sitting courtside at the Hopman Cup.

It was an incident which brought back sensitive memories of the moment she was stabbed by a deranged fan in Germany nearly eight years ago.

Seles, the American, had just completed a routine 6-3 6-3 victory over Australia's Nicole Pratt when she returned to her chair prior to leaving the court.

The male supporter is understood to have avoided security guards stationed behind the players - a measure introduced in the wake of Seles' stabbing atthe Hamburg Open in 1993.

I was unaware of the incident because Monica did not even mention it to me

  Paul McNamee, tournament director

The supporter is reported to have tapped Seles on the shoulder, before asking for her autograph.

Seles, 27, did not make a complaint about the incident and conducted media interviews as usual shortly afterwards.

But it is believed to have shaken her momentarily - and is likely to raise fresh security issues surrounding top players.

The security for the Hopman Cup is provided by Burswood Resort, the company owning the resort hotel, casino and Burswood Dome, home of the Hopman Cup for its lifetime of 13 years.

Appropriate action

Burswood stated that it is not their policy to comment on security issues.

Paul McNamee, tournament director for the Hopman Cup, said: "I was unaware of the incident because Monica did not even mention it to me.

"The company takes security very seriously indeed. Anything untoward would cause them to act appropriately."

In April 1993, Seles was seated at the Hamburg Open during a change of ends in her quarter-final with Manuela Maleeva when Guenther Parche, a German, walked on to court and stabbed her in the back.

Seles later said that a more serious incision could have immediately ended her career.

Although the physical wound healed relatively quickly, her reluctance to re-enter the competitive arena forced her off the WTA Tour for more than a year.

Parche, who claimed insanity, was given a suspended two-year jail sentence.

Seles, angered by the decision of the German courts, has since refused to return to play in Germany.