I feel like I'm providing testimony.
I was present for one incident, and was on site and monitoring the radios for the second.
What do you think happens when a player or her coach ignores multiple requests for simple info that is required to ensure the players safety? Namely, what time do you anticipate finishing practice and would you like a cart available to pick you up? And do you plan to sign autographs? Given that info, the marshals then provide security to ensure there are no issues. However, when the player chooses to refuse the normal safety measures that were set up (a cart off the secure end of the court) and, 20 minutes before her practice session was scheduled to end, walks unannounced through the facility carrying all her tennis gear, bad things can happen.
She got mobbed and had about 50 people aggressively surround her for autographs. There were 3 marshals, including me, that got there about 45 seconds later and restored order but she was understandably upset. But only at the marshals. If she or her coach had told us she was walking, those marshals would have been available to escort her as soon as she left the court. Either the player or her coach, we don't know who, complained to tournament officials after the fact. Then, 2 days later, there was a second incident similar in nature to the first when she decided to shop at the vendors area without letting anyone know right after practice. Many players walk the grounds, but not with their gear bags hanging off their coaches back and only after they are wearing casual clothes to allow them to be inconspicuous. Thankfully, due to the first indecent, we had plenty of people with her to prevent problems, but it tied up 4 marshals that were supposed to be available for other players.
As to your question about expectation levels.......all players with the exception of players like Nadal, Federer, and the Williams sisters among others who get extra security wherever they go on grounds all understand the routine and, for their own safety and comfort, abide by it. Nadal, usually if he is not playing that day, will walk back to the locker room and sign autographs for the fans BUT, his people always let us know about 15 minutes ahead of time so we can provide structure to the event. This is one of the reasons he is so adored by his fans. Sloan and her people were the only ones, of all the players and coaches, that chose to abuse the system and then acted as if it were someone else s fault.
Was she overboard, no. Hard to deal with and unreasonable, yes for this week.
