British tennis star Emma Raducanu’s stalking experience at the Dubai Tennis Championships underscored the dark side of women’s tennis.
During her second-round match against Karolina Muchova, Raducanu became visibly shaken after spotting a man courtside. She recognized him as the same man who had handed her a troubling letter at her hotel the previous day.
Only minutes into the match, Raducanu appeared tearful and distressed, shielding her face with her visor as she approached the umpire.
Seeking refuge behind the umpire’s chair, she expressed her concern. Muchova, her opponent, offered comforting words as security staff swiftly intervened to remove the man after the umpire radioed for assistance.
WTA Confirms Fixated Behavior
Hours later, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed that the individual had exhibited “fixated behavior” and had approached Raducanu the day before her match.
As a result, he was ejected from the tournament and banned from attending further events. Even before the WTA’s official statement, the situation bore the hallmarks of a stalking case—a recurring issue that has long plagued women’s tennis.
Emma Raducanu’s Stalking Case in the Past
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Raducanu had to deal with a stalker. Following her meteoric rise to fame after winning the 2021 US Open, she became the target of unwanted attention.
