High seeds aren't the only high-ticket items to disappear in Miami.
Respected photo journalist Corinne Dubreuil reports two Nikon D4S cameras were unscrewed from their lenses and stolen from her desk when she stepped out for a 20-minute lunch break on Sunday afternoon.
Dubreuil posted this account of the theft on her blog.
When the photographer reported the theft to tournament director Adam Barrett, she said he told her tournament owner IMG is "not responsible."
"(Adam Barrett) told me coldly that the company, IMG, is not responsible. Everyone in the building needs to take care of their own stuff," Dubreuil wrote. "Me: So you’re telling me, Mr Barrett, that if tomorrow someone steals Novak Djokovic’s rackets and all his stuff inside, you’ll tell him ‘Sorry Novak, we can’t help you, you’re responsible?' Mr Barrett looked uncomfortable but confirmed."
"I’m a freelancer. In 25 years, nothing has ever been stolen from me," Debreuil wrote in her blog. "I’m ready to take that risk. I’m ready to live with the consequences of my mistakes. When I make mistakes. IMG seemingly can’t afford nor is interested to contribute to the cost of my stolen cameras.
"Someone, with IMG credentials, in the press room, in the middle of the day, surrounded by journalists, took the time to unscrew lenses from my two Nikon D4S bodies left with them. No one saw anything. And it’s my fault. From victim, I become guilty. This is not a mere computer or recorder. To be able to keep working, I need to buy two camera bodies, costing 12000 €."
From a sad story comes some good news: There are many honorable people on the Tour, including one prominent player.
Alize Cornet, who read Dubreuil's account of the theft on Twitter, has stepped up to help, establishing this funding page and contributing to help pay for new equipment.
So far, more than 70 people, including Grand Slam doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands, have contributed to the fund.
Photo credit: Getty