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Wednesday Notebook Kournikova can't avoid spotlight; security questionedPosted: Wednesday July 03, 2002 8:55 AMUpdated: Wednesday July 03, 2002 3:00 PM WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Anna Kournikova says she doesn't do anything "on purpose" to create publicity, but it seems to follow her wherever she goes. Last week, after losing in the first round, the Russian complained about a television interviewer's line of questioning and was criticized by former players over her lack of success on court. Kournikova's good looks and appeal off the court has drawn parallels with other up-and-coming young Russians, including Maria Sharapova, seeded seventh in the junior girls' draw. When asked about other players being dubbed "the next Kournikova," the lady herself smiled and said: "A copy is never as good as the original." Security again questionedTwo British teenagers -- students Stephen Procter and John Ghebre -- said Wednesday they were able to walk around the players' lounge and media center without being questioned, the third security breach of the tournament.On Tuesday, Australian Sean Piper said he had gained access to the lounge and had his photo taken with Anna Kournikova last Friday. Last Thursday, prankster Karl Power and friend Tommy Dunn played a few shots on Centre Court in full tennis clothing before fleeing without being questioned or apprehended. Securicor, which is responsible for guards at the tournament, vowed to tighten up security. Procter said he and his friend, both 17, wandered around the players' section, saw the gym and physio room and later sat in BBC studios in the media center. Procter said he tried a similar stunt at the Queen's Club tournament before Wimbledon but was stopped by security. The scoreboard jugglerWhen rain delayed the start of play Wednesday at Wimbledon, London university student Charlie Billington, who operates the scoreboard for Courts 2 and 3, entertained the crowd with his other passion -- juggling.Billington showed off his circus skills by juggling three soccer-sized tennis balls for the crowds waiting for the weather to clear. Previous exhibitions have included juggling tennis rackets and fire sticks. "Juggling is just something I do as a hobby and I'm always happy to try and cheer fans up when the weather's not too great," he said. Newspaper warsThe Daily Mirror tabloid left no stone unturned Wednesday when reporting on the fourth-round loss of Canadian-born British player Greg Rusedski, who has an affiliation with the rival Sun."As the Sun-sponsored Canadian Greg Rusedski crashes out of Wimbledon, it's a crying shame, Lucy." A Page 3 spread has 11 photos, some of them not very flattering, of Rusedski's English-born wife Lucy, including one of her crying when her husband lost. Second servesHelena Sukova, winner of seven Wimbledon doubles titles -- four women's and three mixed -- was honored Wednesday for her contribution to the WTA Tour's Partners for Success program. It pairs talented young players with a retired female player. Since 1997, Sukova has voluntarily helped Czech players Denisa Chladkova and Daja Bedanova.The junior competition is underway at Wimbledon, with top-seeded Wang Yeu-tzuoo of Taiwan a first-round loser to Michel Koning of the Netherlands. Former junior champions at Wimbledon include Bjorn Borg, Pat Cash, Stefan Edberg and Martina Hingis.
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