Dubai police have detained a man who caused distress to British tennis star Emma Raducanu during the Dubai Tennis Championships. The incident occurred when the man, described as a tourist, exhibited “fixated behavior” towards Raducanu, leaving her a note, taking her photograph, and engaging in actions that made her uncomfortable.
The 22-year-old Raducanu first encountered the man during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova. The man was seen in the stands, and his presence visibly affected Raducanu, who was in tears and sought refuge behind the umpire’s chair. The distressing situation led to an unscheduled break in the match, during which Muchova offered her support to Raducanu.
Following the incident, the man was ejected from the venue and subsequently detained by Dubai police. He signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from Raducanu and has been banned from future tournaments. Raducanu ultimately decided to drop the charges against him.
In a statement, Dubai’s media office emphasized the emirate’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors. Raducanu, who has previously experienced stalking incidents, thanked those who supported her and assured her fans that she would be okay.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) also issued a statement, explaining that the man had been identified in the first few rows during Raducanu’s match and was banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.
Despite the distressing incident, Raducanu returned to play and eventually lost the match to Muchova. The 2021 U.S. Open champion has faced challenges with injuries since her remarkable victory but remains a prominent figure in the tennis world.
In conclusion, the swift action taken by Dubai police and the support from the tennis community highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes. Emma Raducanu’s experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures and the need for vigilance in protecting their security.
Emma Raducanu in 2025
Currently ranked no.61, Raducanu played her last match on the 18th of February when she was defeated by world no.17 Karolina Muchova 7-6(6) 6-4 in the 2nd round in Dubai (draw).
Presently, during this year Raducanu achieved a compiled 3-5 record.