In a particularly alarming case, Amrit Magar walked 23 miles to her home in Bromley, leaving unwanted gifts and cards. A court later issued Magar a five-year restraining order after Raducanu described feeling paranoid and “constantly looking over her shoulder.”
A Broader Issue in Women’s Tennis
Raducanu’s experience is not an isolated one.
Stalking and obsessive fan behavior have been persistent dangers in women’s tennis, dating back to one of the most infamous incidents in the sport’s history.
In 1993, Monica Seles was stabbed during a match by Günter Parche, a German man obsessed with Steffi Graf.
The attack severely impacted Seles both physically and mentally, and she was never able to regain her command of the court.
Ongoing Concerns About Player Safety
Emma Raducanu’s stalking incident has been a wake-up-call. And security measures at professional tennis events have been heightened.
Since 2008, the WTA has required background checks for individuals seeking access to secure player areas. However, concerns remain about the proximity between spectators and players, leaving athletes vulnerable.
