Emma Raducanu approached by 'fixated' fan in shocking incident

The WTA has confirmed there was a safety incident involving Emma Raducanu at the Dubai Tennis Championship following a shocking incident early in her match against Karolina Muchova.

The 2021 US Open winner took on the 14th-seeded Czech in the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament on Tuesday, but the encounter was marred by an odd event as early as the third game.

A visibly upset and emotional Raducanu approached the chair umpire and after exchanging a few words, she then went to hide behind the official’s chair.

Muchova then walks over for an explanation before also moving behind the official’s chair to console her young opponent.

After chatting with the tournament director and security officials via her walkie-talkie, the umpire climbs down from her chair to have an extended discussion with both players.

Both players then return to their benches and Raducanu was clearly in distress and could be seen wiping away tears with her towel.

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The match eventually resumes and the 22-year-old British player struggles in the next few games as Muchova opens a 4-0 lead, but she finds her rhythm again to take the opening set to a tie-breaker.

The Czech, though, held firm in the tie-breaker and eventually claimed a 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 victory in just over two hours.

The WTA has since issued more details about events leading up to Tuesday’s match as it revealed that a man first approached Raducanu in public on Monday and the same individual was then removed from the match.

A statement from the WTA Tour read: “On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour.

“This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.

“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events. The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.

“We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.”

There has been no statement yet from Raducanu, but she was stalked as a teenager with a man “five-year restraining order and sentenced to community service” in 2022.

The then 19-year-old admitted: “Since all this has happened, I have felt creeped out. I feel very apprehensive if I go out, especially if I am on my own.”

Following her exit from the Dubai event, Raducanu is set to return home to the UK before heading to the United States in early March for the Sunshine Double with the Indian Wells Open starting on 5 March before the Miami Open gets underway on 18 March.

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