Emma Raducanu has spoken openly about moving past the frightening experience of being stalked earlier this year. The former US Open champion revealed that she no longer feels she is “hiding from anything” after the incident, which left her shaken at the time.
The incident in Dubai
Raducanu was reduced to tears when a man who had followed her to four separate tournaments approached her in Dubai. The following day, he appeared in the stands while she was playing a match. Authorities confirmed that the man “exhibited fixated behaviour” and was removed by security before being given a restraining order by Dubai police.
Finding strength in Barcelona
Ahead of a training bloc in Barcelona, Raducanu explained that she had managed to move forward. “I’ve got over it. I don’t feel like I’m hiding from anything anymore,” she said. While she admitted that some intrusions into her private life remain unnerving, she emphasized that she feels more secure and supported.
Concerns about paparazzi intrusions
Raducanu described another unsettling moment when paparazzi photographed her in London without her noticing. “What did creep me out was I saw a photo of myself in London, and I didn’t see the paparazzi taking it. I was with my two best friends. This happened last week, and it was some tabloid article saying I had a new boyfriend or whatever. But it’s literally my best friend’s brother. I was like: ‘Come on, guys. Come on. Be better. This is not true,’” she said.
She added: “I just didn’t see the paps. That’s obviously creepy, when you’re like: I didn’t see them – how did they take this photo? But other than that, I feel good because someone’s always watching my back.”
Embracing daily life again
The British No 1 has been commuting from her family home in Bromley into London for gym training. She explained that the routine has helped her feel more comfortable in busy settings. “In rush hour, people are so locked in to their world. They’re not really paying attention and probably not expecting to see me either,” she said.
Moving forward with confidence
Raducanu concluded by highlighting her renewed confidence in public. “If people recognise me, if people see me, and they want to come up to me, then that’s great, but I don’t necessarily feel like I’m hiding from anything any more,” she said.
Emma Raducanu in 2025
Currently the world no.29, the Brit played her last match on the 14th of October when she was defeated by world no.166 Lin Zhu 3-6 6-4 6-1 in the 1st round in Ningbo (draw).
Currently, during this season Raducanu has achieved a compiled 28-22 match record. Emma Raducanu’s most significant result of the present season was getting to the semifinal in Washington.
