Raducanu Distressed by Unsettling Presence in Crowd
British tennis star Emma Raducanu endured a terrifying experience during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday. The 2021 US Open champion was visibly shaken after spotting a man in the crowd who had allegedly been stalking her.
Raducanu approached the umpire to report the unsettling presence, later breaking down in tears as she sought refuge behind the umpire’s chair. Her opponent, Muchova, consoled her during the emotional moment.
Here is a video of the incident:
WTA Issues Statement and Implements Ban
Following the incident, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) released an official statement confirming the security breach and addressing the measures taken.
“On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behavior. This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.”
The WTA emphasized its commitment to player safety, stating:
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events. The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support. We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.”
Stalker Previously Approached Raducanu at Hotel
According to reports, the same individual had earlier approached Raducanu at her hotel and handed her a letter. The distressing situation added to the emotional toll on the young athlete.
Raducanu Responds with Gratitude Despite Ordeal
Despite the incident, Raducanu expressed appreciation for the support she received from fans and fellow players.
“Thank you for the messages of support. It was a difficult experience yesterday, but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match. Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport, and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”
Raducanu Exits Tournament After Tough Battle
Despite showing resilience on the court, Raducanu lost the match 6(6)-7(8), 4-6, bowing out of the tournament in the second round.
