Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu was reduced to tears after she spotted a man who showed “fixated behavior” toward her during Tuesday’s match in Dubai
The 22-year-old appeared visibly rattled at the start of her second-round match against Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships, prompting her to abruptly stop play in the first set.
Raducanu had tears streaming down her face as she tried to compose herself. She then walked toward the official before hiding behind the umpire’s chair.
Raducanu said she had spotted a man sitting in the “first few rows,” with whom she had a bizarre encounter on Monday. She added that his presence caused her to fear for her safety, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said in a statement.
The WTA added that the crazed fan had approached Raducanu in a “public area” on Monday and “exhibited fixated behavior” toward her.
Shortly after the umpire signaled for organizers and security to remove the spectator, Raducanu was consoled by her opponent behind the judge’s chair.
Officials then had the man removed from the premises.
The former world number 10, for her part, was seen wiping tears from her face with a towel before telling the umpire that she was ready to resume the match.
The match concluded at midnight in Dubai after two hours and seven minutes of play. Raducanu rallied from 4-0 down to force a tiebreaker but eventually lost 7-6 (6), 6-4.
The tennis organization said the man “will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.”
It added that it is “actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.”
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” the WTA shared.
“We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.”
It’s not Raducanu’s first run-in with an obsessive fan.
In December 2022, the tennis player was forced to file a restraining order against a former Amazon delivery driver who stalked her at her London home.
The obsessed fan left notes, flowers, and Christmas decorations and, on one particular mission, stole one of her father’s shoes as a souvenir.
Raducanu was left “creeped out” and scared to be home alone over the incident.
The stalker was eventually sentenced by a British court in 2022 to community service and a five-year restraining order.
Raducanu, who ranked 61 in the world, shot to global stardom after winning the US Open as a qualifier in 2021.
However, the tennis star has struggled in majors since the big win and has spent long stints battling injuries — missing most of the 2023 season following wrists and her left ankle surgery.
