British tennis star Emma Raducanu endured a terrifying moment at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships when she spotted a man exhibiting “fixated behavior” in the stands during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova. The distressing scene unfolded as the 2021 US Open champion suddenly broke down in tears, briefly hiding behind the umpire’s chair before regaining her composure.
Raducanu had encountered the same individual the previous day in a public area, where he had approached her in an unsettling manner. When she saw him seated just rows away during her match on Tuesday, fear overwhelmed her, prompting her to alert the umpire. Her opponent, Muchova, showed sportsmanship by walking over to check on her as officials quickly intervened. The man was immediately ejected from the venue, and the WTA later confirmed he would be banned from all tournaments pending a security review.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Raducanu managed to continue the match, showing resilience by battling back from a 4-0 deficit to force a tiebreak in the first set. However, after a hard-fought contest lasting over two hours, she ultimately fell 7-6 (6), 6-4 to Muchova.
This isn’t Raducanu’s first frightening experience with a stalker. In 2022, a London court issued a restraining order against a man who repeatedly visited her home, leaving unwanted gifts and even stealing her father’s shoe as a keepsake.
The WTA has assured that they are working closely with Raducanu’s team to ensure her safety and provide necessary support. As one of tennis’s brightest stars, the 22-year-old Brit continues to handle immense pressure both on and off the court, proving her strength despite unsettling circumstances.
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