New reality for Emma Raducanu as former US Open champion set to be 'chaperoned everywhere' after stalking issue in Dubai

Emma Raducanu was left in tears last month after she was targeted by a stalker who exhibited fixated behaviour and had followed the 22-year-old across countries to be courtside for her loss to Karolina Muchova in Dubai. But it is the start of the new reality.

The former US Open champion has a heightened security detail meaning fans can't get to her as easy and it forms part of a new reality where she will be chaperoned everywhere by security amid the ordeal.

Less than 24 hours before the match, the man in question had approached Raducanu in a cafe giving her a hand-written love letter and took photos. Charges were dropped but he had to sign a restraining order.

“I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish’,” Raducanu said.

“I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe. I was like, ‘I need to just take a breather’.”

Read also

"I could barely breathe": Emma Raducanu shares horror of dealing with stalker in Dubai which left her in tears

All we can do is look at what happened and react to it in a better way, in a more positive way, rather than looking back and blaming the situation.

“Now it is being dealt with better, so for me that’s important.”

Raducanu is having operations led by former Secret Service agent Bob Campbell and there will be invisible protection at all times too as Tommy Haas tries to avoid a similar debacle to Dubai in Indian Wells. Campbell already works in both ATP and WTA protecting players but will be on more red alert in the case of Raducanu.

The Brit says that it is extremely expensive to have private security but will do what she can to protect herself after such a harrowing ordeal. While Raducanu has endured a lot of abuse since her US Open win, event those who dislike her could be hard up not to feel for her in a situation like this.

Emma Raducanu has had to invest in private security detail in order to stop another Dubai incident.

Now it will become the new norm as she goes from being a player on public view to having to pay for her safety especially after a second stalking incident. Previously a man was charged with stalking her back in the UK even walking dozens of miles to steal one of her father's shoes back in Bromley.

“When I’m away from the courts, I don’t have private security right now, but I’m always with someone who could raise the alarm or could help in a scenario,” Raducanu said.

“Whereas before I maybe would have gone on walks alone, I’m pretty much chaperoned everywhere.”

“Security is very important. Even the [identity of the] player hotel is public information: that’s not necessarily the most helpful and anyone can walk in. So that’s obviously a weak spot there. But I do my best.

“I’m always – now even more so – very aware and very alert and sensitive and don’t really go anywhere on my own.”

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe