During her match at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Emma Raducanu was confronted by a man displaying “fixated behaviour,” according to a statement from the WTA. The 22-year-old player was visibly emotional and sought refuge behind the umpire’s chair only two games into her second-round match against Karolina Muchova.
The WTA reported that the incident took place on February 17 when Raducanu was approached by the individual in a public area. The man was later spotted sitting in the front rows during her match the following day and was subsequently escorted out of the venue. As a result of his actions, he has been prohibited from attending any future WTA events until a threat assessment is conducted.
Raducanu made the umpire aware of the unsettling situation and received support from her opponent Muchova as security personnel removed the individual from the premises. Despite the disruption, the British player courageously returned to the court amidst applause from the audience but ultimately suffered a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 defeat to Muchova.
This is not the first time Raducanu has encountered such alarming behavior, as a man who traveled 23 miles to her residence in London in 2022 was issued a five-year restraining order. The WTA emphasized that the safety of players is their utmost concern and is working closely with Raducanu and her team to ensure her well-being and provide necessary support. Collaboration with tournament organizers globally remains a priority to uphold a secure environment for all athletes
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