Emma Raducanu’s recent match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships took an unexpected and unsettling turn when she spotted someone in the stands who visibly distressed her. The British tennis star, who faced Karolina Muchova in the second round on Tuesday, broke into tears mid-match and sought refuge behind the umpire’s chair, prompting an immediate response from security personnel.
Shock, fear, and panic – match immediately halted!
Raducanu, 22, was trailing 0-2 in the opening set when she suddenly became emotional, stopping play to speak with the umpire. Moments later, she appeared overwhelmed, covering her face in distress. The match was briefly halted as tournament security intervened, and an individual was swiftly escorted out of the venue. The WTA later disclosed that this was the same person who had approached Raducanu a day earlier, displaying unsettling behavior.
😧Emma Raducanu’nun panik içinde hakem sandalyesinin arkasına saklandığı anlara dair WTA açıklaması: “Pazartesi günü Emma Raducanu’ya tuhaf davranışlar sergileyen bir adam halka açık bir alanda yaklaştı. Aynı kişi, Salı günü Emma’nın maçı sırasında tribünde görüldü ve çıkarıldı.” pic.twitter.com/kCmG07o1Ki
— TenisHaberleri (@SadeceTenis) February 19, 2025
WTA issues statement on player safety
The WTA quickly addressed the incident, emphasizing their commitment to player security. Their statement confirmed that Raducanu had been approached by the same individual a day earlier in a public space, exhibiting what they described as “fixated behavior.” Following the courtside incident, the suspect was banned from all future WTA events pending further investigation.
WTA statement on the security incident in Dubai:
On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behavior. This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis…
— wta (@WTA) February 19, 2025
“Player safety is our top priority,” the statement read. “The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.”
Raducanu’s longstanding concerns over safety
This is not the first time Raducanu has faced security issues. In the past, a man named Amrit Magar was convicted of stalking her after repeatedly showing up at her home and engaging in alarming behavior, including leaving unwanted gifts and stealing shoes. Though Magar was arrested, his punishment did not include jail time, leaving Raducanu to struggle with ongoing fears for her personal safety.
The young tennis star has openly spoken about feeling constantly watched and unable to relax in public spaces. Her distress in Dubai underscores just how deeply these experiences have affected her.
Tennis community stands with Raducanu
Despite the disruption, Raducanu fought hard in her match against Muchova, narrowly losing 7-6(6) 6-4. Muchova, who displayed sportsmanship by consoling Raducanu during the incident, will move on to face McCartney Kessler in the next round.
The unsettling event has drawn comparisons to past incidents involving tennis players, including the tragic attack on Monica Seles in 1993. While the circumstances differ, it highlights the risks public figures face and the importance of proactive security.
For now, Raducanu will take time to recover from this ordeal, and the tennis community will be watching closely to ensure she receives the protection and support she needs. Her journey continues, but one thing is clear: no athlete should have to endure such fear while doing their job.
