A man was detained by Dubai Police after displaying “fixated behaviour” toward British tennis star Emma Raducanu, causing her to become visibly distressed during the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Authorities acted swiftly after Raducanu reported the incident, in which the individual left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in actions that made her uncomfortable, according to a statement from Dubai’s media office.
The 22-year-old tennis star approached the chair umpire in tears during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova on February 18. She then retreated behind the umpire’s chair as tournament officials removed the man from the stands.
Although Raducanu initially filed a complaint, she later dropped the charges against the individual, who has since been banned from all WTA events pending further assessment. The man also signed an agreement to stay away from her.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) acknowledged the incident and assured that it is working closely with Raducanu and her team to ensure her safety and well-being.
Following the ordeal, Raducanu reassured fans on Instagram that she was “okay” and expressed pride in her ability to push through the match despite the unsettling experience. She also extended gratitude to her opponent, Karolina Muchova, for her sportsmanship and wished her luck in the tournament.
