DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Emma Raducanu faced a distressing situation during her second-round match at the Dubai Championships, prompting her to seek the chair umpire’s assistance while visibly upset. The incident was triggered by concerns regarding an individual who displayed what was described as “fixated behavior.”
After the second game, the 2021 U.S. Open champion approached the umpire in tears, communicating her worries before stepping away to a secluded area between the official’s chair and the boundary separating the court from the audience. Raducanu had been traumatized by a previous stalking incident in 2022 when a man was convicted for stalking her family home the year prior. Following a brief disruption at a score of 2-0 down, Raducanu continued the match but ultimately fell to 14th-seeded Karolina Muchova with a score of 7-6 (6), 6-4.
In a subsequent statement issued a few hours later, the organizers of the women’s tennis tour clarified that Raducanu had encountered a man exhibiting “fixated behavior” in a public space the day before. It was also reported that this individual was located in the front rows during Raducanu’s match and was promptly removed from the premises. Moreover, a ban from all WTA events was announced for this person while a threat assessment is conducted.
As soon as Raducanu shared her concerns during the first set, the chair umpire immediately contacted the tournament organizers. Meanwhile, Muchova took a moment to offer comfort to the 22-year-old British player. After drying her face with a towel, Raducanu nodded and resumed play without elaborating on the distressing occurrence.
The WTA confirmed that it is collaborating with Raducanu and her team to ensure her safety and provide any necessary psychological support following this unsettling episode. Raducanu famously garnered attention in 2021 after her unexpected triumph at the U.S. Open as a qualifier, marking one of the most surprising achievements in the sport’s history. Since that remarkable victory, however, she has struggled to progress beyond the third round in major tournaments and has faced extended periods recovering from injuries.
