UK's top woman tennis player claims rivals picking on her

London, June 21 (ANI): Wimbledon was at the center of a bullying storm last night after Britain's No.1 woman player claimed rivals were picking on her.

Elena Baltacha, 26, accused other girls of nicking her lunch, and cutting the strings of opponents' racquets.

Speaking on the eve of the world's most famous tennis tournament, The Sun quoted Elena, from Ipswich, Suffolk, as saying: "I've heard stories where one girl's strings got cut."

She added: "We get lunch vouchers, and the other day, I went to the players' restaurant and they said someone had taken it for me. Someone even signed for it."

Ukraine-born Elena told how another player confessed she was also having a hard time.

Elena claimed senior pros also often ignore less experienced players to intimidate them.

She said: "One week they say 'Hi', the next they walk straight past."

The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs Wimbledon, refused to comment last night. (ANI)