Emma Raducanu breaks down in tears during match amid stalker scare

WTA banned the man for exhibiting "fixated behavior" towards the former US Open champion.

British tennis star Emma Raducanu was left visibly shaken during her match at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai after being targeted by a man displaying "fixated behavior."

The distressing incident, which unfolded during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova, forced Raducanu to pause play and seek refuge behind the umpire’s chair.

The 22-year-old, who won the 2021 US Open, was trailing 2-0 in the first set when she approached the umpire before briefly hiding behind the umpire's chair. Overcome with emotion, she wiped away tears with her towel as Muchova walked over to check on her.

Following the incident, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) issued a statement confirming that Raducanu had encountered the individual a day earlier.

"On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man exhibiting fixated behavior. The same individual was later spotted in the front rows during her match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and was subsequently removed," the WTA stated.

As a result, the man has been banned from all WTA events pending a formal threat assessment.

This is not the first time Raducanu has been targeted by an obsessive individual. In 2022, a London court issued a five-year restraining order against a man who had stalked her, including making unwanted visits to her home.

The WTA assured that it is working closely with Raducanu and her team to support her well-being.

"We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to ensure a safe environment for all players," the organization stated.

Muchova went on to win the match 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.