Emma Raducanu has opened up about a distressing stalking incident that left her struggling to continue during a match at the Dubai Open last month. The 22-year-old British tennis star revealed that she “couldn’t see the ball through tears” and was finding it difficult to breathe after spotting a man who had previously approached her twice before the match.
The unsettling encounter took place during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova. As the match got underway, Raducanu noticed the man in the crowd, triggering an overwhelming emotional response. She described the moment, saying, “I was obviously very distraught. I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, I don’t know how I’m going to finish. I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe.”
Seeking a moment to collect herself, she briefly hid behind the umpire’s chair while officials dealt with the situation. The man was eventually removed from the arena, and despite the emotional turmoil, Raducanu continued to play, ultimately losing the match 7-6, 6-4.
It was later revealed that she had encountered the same individual twice before the match, both times off the court. Though deeply shaken, she decided not to press charges, but tournament officials have since banned the man from attending future events.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Raducanu acknowledged the emotional toll it took on her, saying, “After the match, I did break down in tears, but not necessarily because I lost. There was just so much emotion in the last few weeks of the events happening, and I just needed that week off to take a breather and come here. I feel a lot better.”
Following her break from competition, Raducanu is set to return to action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. In the first round, she will face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, currently ranked three places higher than her at No. 52 in the world. The winner of that match will go on to face third seed Coco Gauff, as the top 32 players receive automatic byes into the second round.
Despite the unsettling experience, Raducanu appears determined to move forward and focus on her performance in California. She has been preparing diligently for the tournament and hopes to regain her competitive edge. As she steps onto the court once again, she will be looking to put the past behind her and concentrate on the challenges ahead.
