Tennis star Emma Raducanu has revealed the mental distress she faced during the Dubai Tennis Championships last month when a stalker targeted her, leaving her visibly shaken. Speaking to reporters at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, Raducanu shared her emotional experience for the first time since the unsettling incident.
I could barely breathe says Emma Raducanu
I was obviously very distraught,
Raducanu confessed, reflecting on the traumatic event. The 2021 U.S. Open champion described how the presence of the stalker affected her performance on the court.
I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don't know how I'm going to finish.’
Raducanu revealed that she struggled to even focus on the match, saying,
I literally couldn't see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe. I was like, ‘I need to just take a breather.’
The stalker’s behavior had escalated over time, with Raducanu explaining that the same man had approached her twice off the court in Dubai. In addition, he had been present during her matches in other cities, including Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
Immediate action taken
Security at the Dubai Tennis Championships quickly intervened, escorting the man out of the arena, and Raducanu later confirmed that the individual was banned from all WTA tournaments. While the stalker was detained by Dubai police, Raducanu made the decision to drop the charges against him. Despite the legal outcome, the experience left her emotionally drained.
It was a very emotional time, Raducanu admitted.
She revealed that she took a brief break from competition, taking a week off to recover both mentally and physically before returning to the tour.
After the match I did break down in tears, but not necessarily because I lost. There was just so much emotion in the last few weeks of the events happening, and I just needed that week off to take a breather and come here.
A positive return to action for Emma Raducanu
Now back on the court, Raducanu shared that she feels much better after the time off. The emotional toll of the incident had clearly affected her, but the decision to take a step back allowed her to return with a clearer mind and renewed energy.
I feel a lot better, Raducanu concluded
Signaling her resilience in the face of adversity as she continues to focus on her game.
