**Emma Raducanu Receives Police Support Following Recent Stalking Scare**
Emma Raducanu, the rising British tennis star and 2021 US Open champion, has spoken publicly for the first time about ongoing security concerns after encountering a stalker earlier this year. Raducanu, aged 22, expressed her gratitude towards both tournament security staff and the police, who intervened after a man exhibiting persistent and concerning behaviours attempted to attend her upcoming matches at Wimbledon.
The saga began during the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier in the year, when Raducanu was visibly distraught on court after spotting a man who had previously approached her in a coffee shop. The individual, according to Raducanu, had handed her a letter and asked for a photograph, and later admitted to following her extensively. The emotional impact on Raducanu was significant, with the player breaking down in tears following her match, not due to her performance or the result, but because of the overwhelming tension of the experience.
Security protocols across tennis events have been under increased scrutiny recently, particularly relating to player safety. Following the incident in Dubai, Raducanu enhanced her own personal security measures. But the man in question subsequently made attempts to secure tickets for Wimbledon, Britain’s flagship tennis event. Thanks to coordinated action between tennis authorities and the All England Club, his name, which had already been highlighted, triggered a warning in their security systems. His attempt to enter this year’s public ballot for Wimbledon tickets was subsequently blocked.
Raducanu praised the swift response of Wimbledon organisers, stating, “Wimbledon and everyone did an amazing job.” She explained that police officers reached out to her directly, providing reassurances over her safety and offering regular updates. “I got a notification, the police contacted me and told me everything was OK,” she told BBC Sport. The support she received, both from authorities and event security, appears to have provided her with more confidence to continue competing at the top level.
Reflecting more broadly on her ordeal, Raducanu acknowledged the wider problems facing athletes—and women in particular—when confronted with harassment and stalking. “I know that I am not the first athlete to go through this, and I probably won’t be the last—this isn’t just an issue for athletes, but for women in general,” she noted. She added that her recent experiences have made her appreciate the necessity of effective event security and personal protection, especially at large, high-profile venues in the UK where crowds are at their most dense.
Discussing her current wellbeing, Raducanu remarked, “I feel a difference, and that reassures me and makes me feel more comfortable.” She has noted a marked increase in the level of protection available to her recently, stating that she now feels safer travelling to tournaments and interacting with fans on site.
Recalling the moment she saw her stalker during her match against Karolina Muchova in Dubai, Raducanu described her emotional turmoil: “I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish.’” The emotional distress, she said, overtook her, forcing her to work hard just to remain focused on the game. “I literally needed to just take a breather… the first four games kind of ran away from me. I was not on the court, to be honest, and I’m not really sure how I regrouped.”
Despite these challenges, Raducanu has demonstrated considerable resilience, managing to finish the match and even produce notable moments in the opening set. However, the stress caught up with her afterwards. “After the match, I did break down in tears, but not because I lost—it was more because there was just so much emotion in the last few weeks of events. I needed a week off to take a breather and now I feel a lot better.”
Security measures at major sporting events continue to evolve in response to these incidents. While Raducanu’s case highlights the risks high-profile athletes face, it also underlines the importance of effective safeguarding mechanisms and coordinated communication between event organisers and law enforcement. As Raducanu returns to Wimbledon this summer, she does so with the assurance that her safety is being taken seriously—both on and off the court.