Emma Raducanu shaken after spotting stalker in Dubai crowd: “I’m proud of how I came back”

Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at 20:00

Emma Raducanu expressed gratitude to her fans and fellow player Karolina Muchova following a distressing moment in which she spotted her stalker in the stands. The 2021 US Open champion faced a tough situation during her Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships fourth-round match against Muchova.

The British player had reportedly been harassed in the days leading up to the match by a man exhibiting "obsessive behaviour," according to the WTA.

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Upon seeing him in the crowd, Raducanu was visibly shaken, approached the chair umpire to report the incident, and broke down in tears. She stood behind the chairs until the spectator was removed from the stadium.

Despite her emotional distress, the former world No. 10 went on to compete but ultimately lost the match 6-7(8), 4-6. Afterward, she took to social media to thank her supporters for their messages.

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"Thank you for the messages of support. Difficult experience yesterday but I'll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match," she was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "Thank you to Karolina (Muchova) for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament."

The WTA swiftly addressed the incident, issuing a statement confirming that the man involved has been banned from all WTA events.

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"On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour," the statement read. "This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma's match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected."

Emma Raducanu's fright when she realizes that a man who had approached her the day before in a public place in Dubai was attending her match against Muchova.

The man was fortunately arrested and banned from all WTA events.pic.twitter.com/63jdBNQb8V
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) February 19, 2025

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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