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The public stalking incident involving professional tennis player Emma Raducanu at the Dubai Tennis Championships has once again highlighted the dangers female athletes face. It also focused the spotlight on the growing number of stalkers in Women’s Sports.

The attack drew unsettling comparisons to the 1993 stabbing of Monica Seles by Günter Parche, a German man obsessed with her rival, Steffi Graf. It also serves as a stark reminder that stalkers—both online and in-person—continue to pose significant threats to women in sports.

Since tennis is an individual sport, it has seen its fair share of stalking cases. Women across all sports, regardless of rank or fame, have been targeted for years. 

The increased visibility of athletes through social media and 24/7 coverage has only made them more accessible to potential stalkers.

Cyber-Stalking in Women’s Sports

While Raducanu’s case involved a physical encounter, cyber-stalking is becoming increasingly common. The rise of social media has given stalkers unprecedented access to athletes, enabling them to monitor and harass their targets online.

To combat this, tennis has implemented Project Matrix, an initiative launched last year to track social media activity and assess threat levels for players competing in tour-level events and grand slams. 

This proactive approach was started to protect players from escalating threats before they turn into real-world confrontations.

Other Athletes Speak Out on Stalking

The issue is not confined to tennis. British middle-distance runner Sabrina Sinha shared her experience of online stalking, where she received explicit emails from a cyber-stalker.

In January 2019, the man who targeted her was sentenced to 14 years in prison after harassing multiple women across the United States.

Women’s basketball players have also been significantly affected. Caitlin Clark, a global icon in the sport, received multiple threats and sexually explicit messages from a stalker who now faces criminal charges.

The problem became so severe before this year’s Unrivaled three-on-three basketball league that organizers held a security meeting with players, advising them not to post real-time locations on social media or reveal where they lived.

Olympic Athletes Also at Risk

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas recently took to TikTok for advice after experiencing stalking incidents at airports.

In a desperate attempt to raise awareness, she posted a video describing her encounters with groups of men who followed her at multiple locations.

https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgabbythomas/video/7465083937891667231?is_from_webapp=1

Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, resonated with Thomas’s concerns, stating, “This happens to me too, I don’t know how it happens; my theory is maybe someone at the airport tips them off.” (Source: The Telegraph)                 

Role of Social Media in Security 

Thomas’s cry for help underscores the urgent need for better security measures in sports.

Social media plays a crucial role in connecting fans with athletes, but it has also made it easier for stalkers to track their movements. Many governing bodies are now hiring external security experts to protect their athletes and mitigate these risks.

With cases of stalking in women’s sports on the rise, addressing these security concerns must become a priority for leagues, teams, and organizations worldwide.

By raising awareness and implementing stronger protective measures, the sports world can take steps to ensure the safety of female athletes and prevent these alarming incidents from continuing.