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Emma Raducanu’s recent match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships took a chilling turn when a stalker’s relentless pursuit disrupted her focus and safety. The 21-year-old tennis sensation, visibly shaken, was forced to halt play and seek help from officials. Now, her coach, Roman Kelecic, has revealed the calculated and disturbing tactics employed by the stalker, shedding light on a harrowing ordeal that has left Raducanu and her team demanding accountability.
The Incident: A terrifying encounter
During her Round of 16 match against Karolina Muchova, Emma Raducanu abruptly approached the umpire, tears streaming down her face, pleading for assistance. The WTA later confirmed that a fan with “fixated behavior” had been ejected and banned from future events. However, the full extent of the stalker’s actions only came to light through an interview with Raducanu’s coach, Roman Kelecic, conducted by Croatian outlet Net.
Kelecic detailed how the man had been tracking Raducanu for weeks, appearing at tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and finally Dubai. Initially mistaken for an overzealous fan, his behavior escalated alarmingly.
“He came physically close to her, started having contact in the form of selfies, huggings, etc.,” Kelecic revealed.
The situation reached a breaking point in Dubai when Raducanu, dining alone at a restaurant within the tennis center, was approached by the stalker.
“He started obsessively hugging her, taking pictures with her, he didn’t give her peace, and she called for help,” Kelecic recounted.
A Calculated Strategy: The Stalker’s Chilling Plan
What makes this case particularly unsettling is the stalker’s meticulous planning. Kelecic described how the man carefully observed Emma Raducanu’s routines, waiting for moments when she was alone.
“He had a strategy that is creepy, he thought everything through, calculated. It’s amazing how much he, in fact, thought about all this and planned it. His strategy worked, and it was to get closer to her,” Kelecic explained.
Despite reporting the stalker to tournament security and providing his photo, Raducanu spotted him in the crowd during her match.
Overwhelmed, she rushed to her team, crying, “He’s here, he’s here.” Kelecic recalled the moment vividly: “Emma comes in tears, crying, screaming… The audience is watching. I raise my head and see this guy we’ve been seeing for the last 3-4 weeks.”
Emma Raducanu’s resilience and demand for accountability
Despite the emotional toll, Raducanu displayed remarkable resilience, nearly clinching victory against Muchova. However, her frustration with tournament security was palpable. Kelecic shared that Raducanu threatened legal action if the organizers failed to issue a public apology.
“She said that she would sue them if they did not publicly apologize to her,” he stated.
Ultimately, Emma Raducanu dropped the charges after the stalker signed an undertaking to stay away from her, as reported by James Gray of The i Paper.
A Broader Issue: Safety in Tennis
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities athletes face, even in controlled environments like professional tournaments. Raducanu’s experience underscores the need for stricter security measures to protect players from harassment and stalking.
Kelecic’s revelations also shed light on the close bond he shares with Raducanu, dating back to her junior days. His unwavering support during this ordeal reflects the trust and camaraderie that define their partnership.
As Raducanu continues her journey on the WTA tour, her team remains vigilant to ensure her safety. The tennis world has rallied behind her, calling for better protections for players. For now, Emma Raducanu’s focus remains on her game, but this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges athletes face beyond the court.
