Dubai police have detained a man exhibiting “fixated behaviour” towards British tennis player Emma Raducanu, which caused her considerable distress during the Dubai Championships. The 22-year-old was approached by the individual, who left her a note and took her photograph, raising alarm. Raducanu, who has previously experienced stalking, was visibly upset during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova, even leaving the court in tears.
Following the incident, the Dubai government confirmed that the unnamed man, described only as a tourist, had been removed from the venue and banned from future tournaments. Raducanu chose to drop the charges against him, leading to a formal agreement for the man to maintain his distance from her.
Expressing gratitude to her supporters, Raducanu reassured fans that she would be fine. Her opponent, Muchova, offered her support during the unexpected break in the match. Ultimately, Raducanu lost the match with scores of 7-6 (6), 6-4. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has since reiterated its commitment to player safety, stating the need for a threat assessment concerning the individual involved. Raducanu, who notably won the US Open as a qualifier, has faced ongoing struggles with injuries.