British tennis star Emma Raducanu has revealed the distressing impact of being targeted by a stalker during last month’s Dubai Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournament. The former US Open champion shared that she “couldn’t see the ball through the tears” while competing against Karolina Muchova due to the presence of a man later identified as displaying “fixated behavior.”
The incident took place courtside, where Raducanu spotted the individual during the match. She alerted officials before taking brief refuge behind the umpire’s chair. Security swiftly intervened, removing the man from the venue. He was later handed a restraining order and permanently banned from attending WTA Tour events.
Raducanu Determined to Move Forward
Despite the traumatic experience, Raducanu, 22, has returned to competition, making her first appearance since Dubai at this week’s event in Indian Wells, California. Speaking to The Athletic, she expressed her resolve to continue her career without being intimidated by such incidents.
“There’s a part of you that thinks, ‘I’m not gonna let a middle-aged creep stop me doing what I love to do,’” Raducanu said. “I’m here because I feel a lot better now. A lot happened obviously after Dubai, so I just needed to kind of take my time after.”
The British star admitted that the emotional toll of the incident nearly derailed her match against Muchova. “I saw him first game of the match, and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish,’” she recalled. “I literally couldn’t see the ball through the tears, I could barely breathe. I was playing Karolina, who’s like top 17 in the world, and I can’t see the ball.”
Raducanu described how the first few games “ran away” from her because she was mentally and emotionally distracted. “It was a very emotional time, and after the match, I did completely break down in tears,” she added.
Increased Security Measures at Indian Wells
With Raducanu returning to the court at Indian Wells, tournament organizers are taking extra precautions to ensure her safety. Security personnel will be deployed to protect her throughout the event.
This is not the first time Raducanu has dealt with a stalking incident. In 2022, she was targeted by a stalker at her family home in the UK, which has left her hyper-vigilant about her surroundings.
“The security is very important,” Raducanu emphasized. “Even if the player hotels are public information, that’s not necessarily the most helpful because anyone can walk in. That’s obviously a weak spot, but I do my best.”
The young star admitted that these incidents have forced her to become more cautious. “Now even more so, I’m very aware, very alert, and sensitive to my surroundings. I don’t really go anywhere on my own anymore.”
As Raducanu prepares to compete, fans and fellow players have rallied behind her, hoping that tighter security will allow her to focus solely on her game.
