'My terror at gun-point'
It's funny how trivial matters such as sport can seem so important. Until, that is, you're faced with the things that really matter - like your life.
Anna Chakvetadze (pictured) was resting at home in Moscow last month when she was woken by the barrel of a gun. She was tied up for a few hours, and bandits took cash and valuables worth about US$300,000.
While Chakvetadze and her parents were left tied up, the phone kept ringing - one of the calls being from organisers of the JB Group Classic who were trying to arrange a conference call with members of the Hong Kong press.
'This was a very bad experience for me,' said the Russian yesterday, looking very much like it was the last thing she wanted to talk about.
'You are sleeping and somebody comes in to your room with a gun, so of course you are scared. Terrified.
'We had security. A blocked, gated street but it didn't help. They came from the other side of the house. It is something you just want to be over, not talk about it and not remember it.' Chakvetadze said the incident had also seriously interrupted her training schedule.
'I was supposed to go to Thailand to practise outdoors but then that happened and I had to stay home and help the police,' she said. 'So it has put me behind, but this event is perfect.
'Hopefully I can prepare for the season and hopefully now things will start going well.'
