A man displaying ‘fixated behaviour’ was ejected from Emma Raducanu’s Dubai match and banned from WTA events

Emma Raducanu has spoken out after a disturbing security incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where an alleged Emma Raducanu stalker displaying “fixated behaviour” was removed from the stands before her second-round defeat to Karolina Muchova.

The unsettling encounter unfolded on Tuesday, leaving Raducanu visibly distressed. She was seen in tears as she approached the umpire’s chair early in the match, which she ultimately lost 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

Security swiftly removed the individual, who had previously approached Raducanu in a public area. The WTA confirmed that he will be banned from all future events, pending a full threat assessment.

Raducanu later took to Instagram, stating:
“Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.”

WTA and LTA Respond to Player Safety Concerns

In response to the alarming event, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) released a statement reaffirming their commitment to player safety.

“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” the statement read.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) also weighed in, highlighting the ongoing risks players—especially female athletes—face. A spokesperson stated:
“This incident once again highlights issues around safety that all players, but female players in particular, can face.”

Stalking Issues in Tennis

This isn’t the first time Raducanu has faced concerning attention from strangers. In 2022, a man who walked 23 miles to her home was given a five-year restraining order.

Other British players, such as Katie Boulter, have also spoken about disturbing experiences. Boulter recalled an instance where a man threatened her on social media and showed up at her match site.

“It happens to all of us, it’s part of life when you’re in the public eye,” she admitted, stressing the importance of security measures in tennis.

Tennis Community Calls for Stronger Security

Former British No. 1 Sam Smith expressed shock at the incident, praising Raducanu’s composure under pressure.

“Credit to Emma. You would never know what she had been through, with the way she was playing and competing,” Smith said.

Sky Sports Tennis expert Jonathan Overend highlighted the need for stronger safeguarding measures.

“It was distressing to see, particularly when Raducanu was cowering behind the umpire’s chair,” Overend said.

“This highlights the reality of life for professional athletes—stalkers, social media harassment, and security breaches. The WTA must reassess its protocols.”

Dubai Organisers Defend Security Response

Tournament officials stated they worked closely with WTA security to identify and eject the individual quickly.

“We support the WTA’s decision to ban the individual and share the Tour’s longstanding commitment to player safety and wellbeing,” the Dubai tournament organisers declared.

With security concerns in the spotlight, the WTA and ATP are expected to review safety protocols after the Emma Raducanu stalker incident to ensure players are protected—both on and off the court.