DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — During her second-round match at the Dubai Championships, Emma Raducanu was visibly shaken and sought an unscheduled break due to concerns about an individual displaying “fixated behavior.” The 2021 U.S. Open champion approached the chair umpire in tears after the second game, sharing her worries before moving to a space behind the umpire’s chair, situated between the official and the audience area.

This incident echoes a previous event from 2022 when a man was convicted in the UK for stalking Raducanu at her family home. Following a brief pause at 0-2, Raducanu resumed playing but ultimately lost to the 14th-seeded Karolina Muchova with a scoreline of 7-6 (6), 6-4.

Hours later, the WTA released a statement clarifying the situation. It disclosed that Raducanu had been approached in a public area on Monday by a man with concerning behavior, who was later identified in the front rows during her match on Tuesday and subsequently removed from the venue. The statement indicated that this individual would be barred from attending all WTA events until an assessment of the threat he posed could be conducted.

During the match, when Raducanu raised her concerns, the chair umpire contacted tournament officials promptly. Muchova also approached Raducanu to offer support before the British player continued the match after collecting herself, wiping her face with a towel and nodding to signal her readiness.

The WTA assured fans and followers that it was collaborating with Raducanu and her team to ensure her safety and provide the necessary support following the incident. Since achieving her remarkable victory at the U.S. Open as a qualifier in 2021, Raducanu has faced challenges, including injury-related setbacks that have kept her from progressing past the third round in Grand Slam events.