Emma Raducanu stalker detained after incident at Dubai tournament

Man banned from WTA events after distressing encounter with Raducanu.

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain arrives at the official players' party on Day Two of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, on February 17, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo

A man who displayed "fixated behavior" toward British tennis player Emma Raducanu at a Dubai tournament has been detained and given a restraining order, police said on Thursday. The incident, which unfolded during Raducanu’s second-round match, left the 22-year-old visibly shaken.

Raducanu alerted officials to the man's presence after losing the first two games in her defeat to Czech player Karolina Muchova on Tuesday. Seeking security, she briefly stood behind the umpire's chair before the individual was escorted away. Muchova rushed to comfort Raducanu before play resumed.

Man had previously approached Raducanu in Dubai

The incident followed an earlier interaction between the man and Raducanu on Monday, when he approached her in a public area, handed her a letter, and took a photograph. The man then took a courtside seat in the front rows for her match on Tuesday.

"Following Raducanu’s complaint, Dubai Police detained a tourist who approached her, left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behavior that caused her distress," police said in a statement.

While Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal agreement to stay away from her and has been banned from attending future tournaments.

WTA issues ban on the individual

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) responded to the incident by stating that the man would be banned from all WTA events moving forward.

Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has dealt with security concerns before, but this episode visibly affected her on the court. Despite the unsettling experience, she finished the match but was unable to mount a comeback, falling in straight sets to Muchova.

Raducanu thanks fans after "difficult experience"

On Wednesday, Raducanu addressed the situation publicly, thanking fans for their support.

"After a difficult experience, I just want to say I'll be okay. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages," she wrote.

As one of the most recognizable faces in women's tennis, Raducanu has been in the spotlight since her historic Grand Slam win as a teenager. However, this latest incident raises concerns about player safety and security at major tournaments.

The Dubai tournament continues with heightened security measures as officials aim to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.