Emma Raducanu Opens Up About Distressing Experience at Dubai Open
Emma Raducanu, the talented 22-year-old tennis player, recently revealed the emotional turmoil she faced during her second-round match at the Dubai Open last month. In a shocking twist, she discovered that a stalker was among the crowd, which left her feeling overwhelmed and distressed. She candidly shared that she “couldn’t see the ball through tears” as she struggled to focus on the game amidst the chaos.
Raducanu explained how this unsettling experience affected her performance, stating, “I was obviously very distraught. I saw him in the first game of the match, and I was like, I don’t know how I’m going to finish. I literally couldn’t see the ball through the tears. I could barely breathe.” The ordeal was so intense that she found herself hiding behind the umpire’s chair during her eventual defeat to Karolina Muchova.
Following the incident, Raducanu made the decision to return to England immediately and take a break from both the spotlight and the sport. She is set to make her return at the Indian Wells tournament in California on Thursday, where she hopes to regain her focus and composure.
The Shocking Reality of Stalking in Sports
Raducanu recounted her harrowing experience, noting that the stalker had approached her twice during her time in Dubai. The first encounter involved the individual handing her a letter and observing her quietly in a coffee shop. However, it was the second incident that truly shook her. “It was the second one I just got freaked out by because the first one was more like a normal fan approaching you. The second incident was really worrying,” she explained.
This individual had followed Raducanu from Singapore to Dubai and has since been issued a restraining order by Dubai police. In light of these events, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has provided Raducanu with heightened security, including a protection detail led by a former high-ranking secret service agent. Although she chose not to press charges, the stalker has been banned from attending future tennis tournaments.
Raducanu reflected on the emotional aftermath of the match, saying, “It was a very emotional time. After the match, I did break down in tears, but not necessarily because I lost. There was just so much emotion in the last few weeks of the events happening, and I just needed that week off to take a breather and come here. I feel a lot better.”
As she prepares for her upcoming match, Raducanu will face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, who is currently ranked three places above her at 52 in the world. The winner of this encounter will be guaranteed a match against third seed Coco Gauff, with all top 32 players receiving byes to the second round.
With additional reporting by Press Association
