Emma Raducanu experienced a distressing encounter near her hotel ahead of a major tournament match in Dubai. A man, described as exhibiting “fixated behaviour,” approached her with a letter and took her photo, an action that left her visibly shaken.
The same individual had reportedly been seen at multiple previous tournaments across the region, raising concerns about his pattern of behavior. Although Raducanu informed a member of her team at the time, the matter was not reported to tournament officials until the following day.
During her second-round match, Raducanu spotted the man in the crowd just two games in. She became emotional and momentarily hid behind the umpire’s chair, struggling to compose herself. The man was subsequently removed from the venue and detained by local authorities.
Reflecting on the incident, Raducanu admitted it deeply affected her, saying she could hardly see the ball through tears and had trouble breathing during the match. She acknowledged that more could have been done at the time to handle the situation but emphasized that lessons have since been learned.
Now 22, Raducanu says she remains vigilant and no longer travels alone, always ensuring she’s accompanied and under supervision. This is not her first unsettling experience—she has previously dealt with stalking incidents, including one in which an individual walked miles to her home and was later issued a restraining order.
Raducanu’s recent experiences have prompted increased security measures, and she continues to prioritize her safety both on and off the court.
