A man who attacked an Auckland tennis player had been waiting in a women's toilet block for his victim, police have revealed.
Detectives say they are anxious to identify the man and fear he may strike again after the attack about midday on Saturday which police have describedas "premeditated and with sinister motives".
Detective Sergeant Andy King, of the adult sexual abuse team, said the woman, 36, went into the toilet block at the ASB Tennis Centre in Stanley St after finishing a game.
The attacker grabbed her from behind and tried to drag her to a more secluded area.
"This attack is obviously a concern to the police because very often it does happen that the offender tries again with somebody else," Mr King said.
"That's always a fear and because of that we want to solve it as quickly and as cleanly as possible."
The attacker let the woman go when she began screaming. She was injured during the struggle but Mr King would describe her injuries only as "reasonable".
"Had this woman not been able to fight him off, it's likely her ordeal would have been even more harrowing."
Mr King believed it was possible the attacker had some connection with the tennis centre or the locality, but he would not reveal why he believed that.
* Anyone with information is asked to call Andy King on (09) 302 6611.
* THE SUSPECT
Maori or Pacific Islander in his mid 20s.
About 182cm tall.
Short black hair, of very solid build but not fat.
