Tennis star distressed hiding behind umpire’s chair after spotting suspected stalker in the stands

Spread the love

The stalker who left a Tennis star in tears during her Dubai match allegedly handed her a letter at a hotel the day before.

Tennis player Emma Raducanu recently experienced a frightening situation while competing at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships.

During her match, she grew upset after noticing a man who had approached her before.

This incident left her in tears and hiding behind the umpire’s chair.

tennis star left in panics hiding behind umpires chair after spotting susp 17623
Emma Raducanu was left in tears after spotting her stalker. Image Credit: Getty

A stalker approached Tennis player Emma Raducanu in her hotel

The event unfolded on February 18, when Raducanu was preparing for her match against Karolina Muchova.

Earlier, the same man had handed her a letter at her hotel, exhibiting what authorities described as “fixated behavior.”

After seeing him in the stands, Raducanu became overwhelmed, leading her to seek comfort from the match officials.

tennis star left in panics hiding behind umpires chair after spotting susp 17624
The man had previously approached Raducanu at her hotel before the match. Image Credit: PA

In a statement, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed that Raducanu had reported the man’s suspicious behavior to on-site security.

When the man was identified in the crowd during the match, security quickly removed him from the venue.

Tennis star left in panics hiding behind umpire’s chair after spotting suspected stalker in stands

Witnesses reported that Raducanu was clearly shaken by the encounter.

As she sat on the court, she initially attempted to focus on her game, but her distress was evident.

See also  Ex-trainer explains Mike Tyson's face tattoo

The young athlete communicated with the umpire, requesting assistance.

Following this, she took refuge behind the umpire’s chair, struggling to regain her composure.

Her opponent, Muchova, approached to offer support, showing solidarity during a tough moment.

The match was briefly delayed as officials addressed the situation.

tennis star left in panics hiding behind umpires chair after spotting susp 17621
Image Credit: Getty

The WTA acted swiftly in response to the incident.

They issued a statement emphasizing player safety as a top priority.

The organization confirmed that the man would be banned from all WTA events pending further investigation.

This decision emphasizes concerns about player safety, especially for female athletes facing unwanted attention.

After the incident, tournament officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all participants.

They are working closely with local security teams to improve safety measures at events.

“This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected.

tennis star left in panics hiding behind umpires chair after spotting susp 17622
Raducanu hid behind the umpire’s chair, visibly shaken and distressed. Image Credit: Getty

He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.

“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events.

“The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.

We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.”

Raducanu has faced stalking incidents before.

This disturbing encounter is not the first time Raducanu has faced issues with stalkers.

In 2022, a man was given a restraining order after repeatedly visiting her home and leaving unwanted gifts.

See also  Tennis star hits back at shouting crowd by slapping backside and boasting of $180,000 cheque

At that time, Raducanu expressed her fears about her safety and the feeling of being constantly watched.

tennis star left in panics hiding behind umpires chair after spotting susp 17625
Raducanu has faced stalking incidents before, raising concerns about athlete safety. Image Credit: Emma Raducanu

“Since all this has happened, I have felt creeped out,’ Raducanu said in a statement at the time.

“I feel very apprehensive if I go out, especially if I am on my own.”

“Because of this I feel like my freedom has been taken away from me. I am constantly looking over my shoulder.

I feel on edge and worried this could happen again.”

Many female athletes have experienced similar situations, with stalkers and obsessive fans posing significant challenges.

High-profile cases, like that of Monica Seles, who was stabbed by a fan in 1993, have raised awareness about the risks athletes face in public settings..


Spread the love