Emma Raducanu, the British tennis sensation who captured the world’s attention with her stunning 2021 US Open victory, has faced a harrowing ordeal that has forced her to relinquish a cherished part of her life. At just 22 years old, the former Grand Slam champion has been compelled to abandon her beloved habit of taking solo walks, a simple pleasure that once offered her moments of solitude and reflection. This drastic change stems from a deeply unsettling stalking incident that unfolded earlier this year in Dubai, leaving the young star shaken and forever altering her sense of freedom.
The incident occurred during the Dubai Tennis Championships in February 2025, when Raducanu, mid-match against Czech player Karolina Muchova, spotted a man in the stands who had been persistently following her. Visibly distraught, she halted play, retreating behind the umpire’s chair in tears, overwhelmed by fear and unable to continue immediately. The man, described as exhibiting “fixated behavior,” had approached her the previous day at a coffee shop near her hotel, handing her a letter and taking her photograph without consent. This was not an isolated encounter; he had trailed her across multiple tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, strategically seeking moments when she was alone. The chilling realization of his calculated pursuit left Raducanu struggling to breathe, as she later recounted, “I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish.’ I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe.”
Despite the emotional toll, Raducanu displayed remarkable resilience. After the man was removed from the venue and issued a restraining order by Dubai police, she composed herself and continued the match, though she ultimately lost in a competitive 7-6, 6-4 battle. Her opponent, Muchova, offered words of comfort during the ordeal, a gesture Raducanu later acknowledged with gratitude, praising her for being “a great sport.” The incident, however, was far from her first encounter with such invasive behavior. In 2021, shortly after her US Open triumph, another individual, Amrit Magar, was handed a five-year restraining order after trekking 23 miles to her family’s home in Bromley, London, leaving unwanted gifts and decorations. That experience, too, left her feeling as though her “freedom had been taken away,” forcing her to constantly look over her shoulder.
The Dubai incident has had a lasting impact on Raducanu’s life off the court. Once an avid enjoyer of solo walks and quiet coffee outings, she now avoids going out alone, a precaution that has robbed her of a cherished form of relaxation. “I think after the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve had,” she shared. “I found it very difficult going out. I don’t really go out on my own as much. No solo walks. Just always having someone watching my back.” This heightened vigilance is now a permanent fixture in her life, with increased security measures accompanying her at tournaments and beyond. At Indian Wells, where she returned to competition just weeks after the Dubai ordeal, she was flanked by additional security guards to ensure her safety.
Raducanu’s openness about the incident sheds light on the darker side of fame, particularly for young female athletes in the public eye. The individual nature of tennis, with its close proximity to spectators, makes players like Raducanu particularly vulnerable. She has reflected on the need for better handling of such situations, noting that the Dubai incident “could have been dealt with better” but emphasizing that lessons have been learned. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) responded by banning the individual from future events and reinforcing their commitment to player safety, though Raducanu’s experience underscores the ongoing challenges of protecting athletes in such high-profile settings.
Despite the trauma, Raducanu’s determination to move forward is evident. After taking a week off to recover emotionally in England, she returned to the court at Indian Wells, expressing relief at feeling safer with enhanced security. “I feel a lot better,” she said, acknowledging the emotional weight of the preceding weeks. Her focus now is on rebuilding her confidence and form, supported by new coaches Mark Petchey and Nick Cavaday as she prepares for the grass-court season and Wimbledon 2025. Yet, the psychological scars remain, and her cautious approach to public outings reflects a sobering reality for the young star. “I’m obviously wary when I go out,” she admitted. “I try not to be careless about it because you only realize how much of a problem it is when you’re in that situation.”
Raducanu’s story is a stark reminder of the unseen burdens carried by those in the spotlight. Her courage in continuing to compete, despite these challenges, speaks to her resilience and passion for the sport. As she navigates her career and the complexities of fame, her fans and peers alike rally behind her, hoping for a future where she can reclaim the simple joys—like a quiet walk alone—without fear.
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