By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, February 28, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Emma Raducanu endured a scary stalker incident in Dubai last week.
Next week, Raducanu is aiming for an Indian Wells return with reinforcements.
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An emotional Raducanu burst into tears and took refuge behind the chair umpire’s stand after spotting the male stalker two games into her second-round Dubai clash vs. Karolina Muchova.
Dubai police detained the man, who is a tourist.
"Following Raducanu’s complaint, Dubai Police detained a tourist who approached her, left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behavior that caused her distress during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships," the Dubai Media Office said in a statement.
Raducanu dropped the charges against the man, who signed a statement basically the equivalent of a restraining order agreeing to maintain distance from her.
Members of Raducanu’s team told British media she was frightened because the fixated fan had previously appeared in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha before actually approaching her in a Dubai cafe and showing up at her first two matches.
Following her Dubai second-round exit, Raducanu reportedly considered taking time away from the Tour before opting to play Indian Wells.
The 2021 US Open champion will be surrounded by tournament security at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with the WTA also empowered to provide added security measures if necessary.
A year ago, Raducanu played the BNP Paribas Open on a wild card and reached the third round bowing to Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-5.
Today, Raducanu celebrated her return to Tennis Paradise sharing the court with Tournament Director Tommy Haas.