A man described as “fixated” and removed from Emma Raducanu’s second-round match at the WTA event in Dubai reportedly approached the tennis player at her hotel, giving her a letter just before the game.
Raducanu stated she will “be alright” after what she termed a “challenging experience,” which compelled the 2021 US Open champion to alert the chair umpire early in her encounter with 14th-seeded Karolina Muchova. She was visibly distressed and later, the WTA connected her emotional reaction with the presence of an unidentified individual.
Reports from the UK indicate that the man confronted Raducanu at her hotel and handed her a letter, causing her significant distress just one day prior to the match.
She promptly reported the incident to both on-site security and WTA officials, as noted by The Mail Sport.
Upon spotting the same individual during her match, a shocked Raducanu saw him removed swiftly by tennis authorities.
The 22-year-old British star issued a statement on Instagram expressing her gratitude for the supportive messages she received. “It was a tough experience yesterday, but I’ll be fine. I’m proud of my resilience and how I fought back despite the anxiety at the start of the match,” she wrote.
Emma Raducanu visibly upset. Tennis TV
“Thanks to Karolina for being such a great opponent and good luck to her for the remainder of the tournament,” added Raducanu.
While the man’s identity remains undisclosed, it has been confirmed that he does not hold British citizenship.
Since rocketing to fame following her remarkable US Open triumph, Raducanu has faced similar unsettling situations in recent years.
As a teenager, a delivery driver from London was given a five-year restraining order in 2022 after persistently visiting Raducanu’s residence.
Amrit Magar lingered around her home, leaving unwanted gifts and cards, and stealing items from her porch, making Raducanu feel unsafe and “always looking over her shoulder.”
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Reflecting on the ordeal, Raducanu had stated at the time, “I have felt unsafe. I feel very anxious when I go out, especially when I’m by myself. It’s as though my freedom has been stripped away. I’m perpetually glancing over my shoulder. It’s left me feeling jumpy and concerned that something similar could happen again.”
Emma Raducanu during play. Getty
Initially, Raducanu’s match against Muchova was set for court one at the Dubai Aviation Club Tennis Centre, but due to rain, it was moved to court two.
This alternative court is situated between two others, with spectators positioned behind the baseline rather than on the sides, putting Raducanu in a position where she faced the man from one end of the court, while being aware he was stationed behind her at the other end.
On Wednesday, the WTA released a statement confirming that Raducanu was approached in a public space on Monday “by a man who displayed fixated behaviour” and that this same individual was recognised in the front rows during Raducanu’s match on Tuesday, resulting in his immediate removal.
“He will be barred from all WTA events pending a threat assessment,” the WTA added.
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain receiving medical attention. Getty
The WTA has committed to collaborating with Raducanu and her team “to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.”
Reflecting on past incidents, it’s anticipated that the WTA will enhance security measures at its tournaments.
In a concerning historical context, Monica Seles, a former world No. 1 from Yugoslavia, was stabbed during a changeover at a tournament in Hamburg in 1993.
The assailant was 38-year-old German Günter Parche, who was obsessed with Seles’ German rival, Steffi Graf. He wanted to see Graf regain her position as world No. 1 and managed to get past security before stabbing Seles in the upper back.
Raducanu shot to prominence in 2021 by clinching the US Open as a qualifier, marking one of the most extraordinary achievements in tennis history.
Since that time, she has not advanced past the third round in any major event, often battling through lengthy periods of recovery from injuries.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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