By DPA
London : Security around the Wimbledon locker rooms has been stepped up following a spate of thefts at recent tennis events.
With most players living quite comfortably in the upper income brackets, their wallets, mobiles and other high-value items may seem like tempting targets to sneak thieves, who have managed to inconvenience several men's competitors in recent weeks.
Local media reported that Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark had a Rolex watch stolen during Roehampton qualifying rounds last week, while France's Nicolas Mahut, the losing Queen's finalist, is missing an iPod.
Andy Murray's doubles-playing elder brother Jamie also found himself without cash and phone after a rip-off at the Queen's club locker room this month.
In Paris, Czech Radek Stepanek, due to marry Martin Hingis, was relieved of 5,000 euros (6,730 dollars) from his loose wallet while Swede Jonas Bjorkman, a 2006 Wimbledon semi-finalist, has twice been a theft victim on the circuit.
The topic of locker room lifts came up at last Saturday's mandatory annual player meeting.
"The ATP are deciding whether it is necessary to put cameras in dressing rooms," Bjorkman said. "This year the problem has been extremely bad."
Bjorkman said he now only carries 20 euros in loose change and tries to keep a better eye on his gear.
But given the chaotic state of locker rooms, with huge racket bags open and players, coaches, trainers and others coming and going, security is often hit and miss.
Local press suggested the crime wave could be down to a job by one or more insiders.