TENNIS: An obsessed German fan who stalked Serena Williams was fined by a British court yesterday after declaring his love for her and failing to stay away from the Wimbledon championships.
Albrecht Stromeyer (34) was arrested on Wednesday as he rode his bicycle down the approach to Wimbledon's All England Club in southwest London.
"I don't hate her, I love her, I will never hurt her," Stromeyer said of Williams, according to prosecutor Martin Fox.
The bearded student, who lives with his parents in Frankfurt, admitted breaching the peace when he appeared in court.
He first appeared at the German Open in Berlin, followed by the Italian Open in Rome last month where he was arrested.
He was again spotted at the French Open in Paris where Serena went on to win the title.
"The defendant was seen and recognised by officers. Officers tried to prevent the defendant riding down the road. Eventually he had to be taken off by force," Fox said.
Lawyers for Stromeyer, who was fined £300 (€468), said he accepted his behaviour had caused alarm and apprehension.
Magistrates also imposed a 13-month good behaviour order on him.
Outside the court, Wimbledon police chief Des Stout said they had warned Stromeyer before the incident to stay away from Williams. "He is deemed a nuisance rather than a danger, and we don't believe he is violent. His ambition would be at some stage to talk to her."
It was a German who attacked Monica Seles at an event in Hamburg some years ago. Claiming to be a fan of Steffi Graf, he knifed Seles in the back.
Venus Williams has already said that just before the tournament began a bogus drug tester, claiming to be from the United States Anti-Doping Agency, turned up on her doorstep trying to get into the house.
Serena (20) is accompanied everywhere by her mother Oracene and a security guard.
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