Emma Raducanu in tears after disturbing incident at Dubai Tennis Championships: What happened?
Emma Raducanu was left visibly shaken during her second-round match at the Dubai Tennis Championships after a man displaying “fixated behavior” targeted her. The 22-year-old was seen hiding behind the umpire’s chair two games into the match against Karolina Muchova and then alerted authorities about the matter.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed that the same man had approached Raducanu in a public area the day before and was later seen in the stands during her match. Security promptly removed him from the court, and he has been banned from all WTA events.
“On Monday, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behavior,” the WTA statement said. Muchova, Raducanu’s opponent, consoled her on the court as security intervened. Despite the unsettling incident, Raducanu continued the match but ultimately lost 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.
“On Monday Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour,” the WTA statement said.
Muchova, Raducanu’s opponent, consoled her on the court as security intervened. Despite the unsettling incident, Raducanu continued the match but ultimately lost 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.
However, the incident has sparked concerns over player safety, with the WTA reaffirming its commitment to ensuring secure environments at tournaments. In 2022, Raducanu faced a similar situation when a man was given a five-year restraining order for stalking her. The WTA has assured that they are working with Raducanu and her team to support her well-being.
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events. The WTA is working with Emma and her team to ensure her safety throughout the tournament. We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.”
Raducanu to compete in London’s HSBC championships
Raducanu is set to compete at the HSBC Championships in London from June 7-15. This event will mark the return of women’s professional tennis to Queen’s Club for the first time in over 50 years.
She will be joined by British No. 1 Katie Boulter, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, and defending Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina. More high-profile names are expected to be announced for the WTA 500 event.
