British tennis star Emma Raducanu recently opened up about a disturbing experience at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she was visibly distressed due to a man displaying what the WTA described as “fixated behavior.”
The incident took place early in her match against Karolína Muchová, leading Raducanu to seek refuge behind the umpire’s chair. The Dubai government later confirmed that the individual had been issued a restraining order and banned from future tournaments.
Emotional Struggles on Court and Recovery Before Indian Wells Tournament
Raducanu revealed that she was overwhelmed by the situation and struggled to focus during the match. She recalled seeing the man from the first game and feeling unsure about how to continue playing. She admitted that she “couldn’t see the ball through tears” and had difficulty breathing.
Despite managing to push the first set to a tiebreak, she ultimately lost the match in straight sets. Following the ordeal, Raducanu took a break from competition before heading to California for the Indian Wells tournament.
Emma Raducanu (WTA)Speaking to reporters for the first time since the incident, Raducanu described it as an incredibly emotional period. While she did break down after the match, she clarified that it was not solely due to her loss but rather the accumulation of stress from recent events. She emphasized the importance of taking time off to recover and expressed feeling much better ahead of her next tournament.
Increased Security Measures and Focus on Indian Wells After Disturbing Incident
Raducanu disclosed that the same individual had been present at her previous tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha before showing up in Dubai. She expressed concern that the situation “could have been dealt with better” but acknowledged that security measures have since improved.
She now takes greater precautions, ensuring she is never alone and always under supervision. The WTA, which was informed about the man’s behavior a day after he approached Raducanu in Dubai, has since taken steps to enhance player security.
Despite the recent turmoil, Raducanu is set to compete at Indian Wells, where she will face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round. If successful, she may go up against American star Coco Gauff in the second round. Raducanu expressed her excitement about playing in one of her favorite tournaments, admitting she was initially uncertain about returning to competition so soon but is now happy to be back on the court.
