**Emma Raducanu Speaks Out After Distressing Stalker Incident Leaves Her Shaken During Dubai Championships**
Emma Raducanu, Britain’s second-ranked female tennis player, has opened up about a harrowing experience with a stalker that severely affected her performance during the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this year. The incident, which occurred in February during her match against Karolina Muchova, left the 22-year-old athlete emotionally distressed and significantly impacted her ability to compete.
Recounting the ordeal, Raducanu revealed she was moved to tears behind the umpire’s chair as she grappled with both emotional and physical symptoms while on court. The unwanted attention from a man described as “fixated” caused her to struggle, stating at one point she could “barely breathe” and was unable to properly see the ball due to the tears streaming down her face.
The episode followed a period of instability in Raducanu’s support setup, as she headed to the Dubai tournament without a full-time coach by her side. The lack of a trusted team reportedly heightened her sense of vulnerability, compounding her anxiety during this distressing time. “It was difficult,” she told BBC Sport in an honest interview, emphasising how the uncertainty around her team structure made an already challenging situation considerably worse.
Discussing the longer-term effects, Raducanu admitted she remains cautious about her personal safety. “I’m obviously wary when I go out,” she explained, noting that she is now far more careful about her surroundings. “You only realise how much of a problem it is when you’re actually in that situation. It’s not something I want to experience again.”
Despite concerns for her wellbeing, Raducanu said she now feels more secure, both in her private life and tennis career, thanks to the presence of coaches Mark Petchey and Nick Cavaday. She highlighted the importance of having a close, trustworthy group around her, crediting this support for helping her move beyond the trauma. “Off the court right now, I feel good, I feel pretty settled,” Raducanu said, adding, “I have good people around me, and anything negative I try to brush off as much as I can.”
Raducanu’s recent efforts to regain form have taken place against the backdrop of ongoing injury problems, with a persistent back spasm troubling her throughout the 2025 season. Despite being knocked out by Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open, Raducanu remains determined to put the ordeal behind her as she prepares for the grass-court season. She is set to participate in the inaugural women’s event at Queen’s Club this week, where she will open her campaign against Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa.
Reflecting on her recent experiences, Raducanu expressed appreciation for the stability her new coaching team has brought. “Over the last couple of months, I’ve found some better form but I’ve also realised I can’t perform at my best without people I trust around me,” she admitted. She described a heightened intuition about those she chooses to work with, saying, “I have a pretty good gut feeling and intuition about people who I get on with, and who I trust.”
In light of these events, Raducanu indicated that she is learning to prioritise her emotional wellbeing alongside her physical health and competitive ambitions. “Sometimes I try and reason with myself, thinking maybe someone can offer something I need, but forcing those connections just doesn’t work,” she confessed. “When there’s bad energy or a negative environment, it really does linger.”
As the British star looks ahead to Wimbledon and the rest of the season, her focus remains on building resilience both on and off the court, determined to respond with strength in the wake of such a disturbing experience. The tennis world watches closely as Raducanu navigates her comeback, hoping she can recapture her best form amid a more supportive and secure environment.