Emma Raducanu opened up about her feelings during the incident with a stalker at the 2025 Dubai Championships.
The WTA 1000 event in Dubai was filled with mixed emotions for Raducanu. She entered the tournament on a four-match winning streak and managed to end that streak in the first round against Maria Sakkari, but her subsequent match proved disastrous.
However, it wasn’t a disaster because of Raducanu’s performance; in fact, she played exceptionally well under distressing circumstances, losing to Karolina Muchova 6-7(6), 4-6.
The extraordinary nature of this loss stemmed from an incident early in the match. After the second game, Raducanu approached the chair umpire, hid behind the chair, and began to cry.
Initially, the reason for her distress was unclear, but it soon became evident. Raducanu had been followed by a stalker, a harrowing experience for her.
She had encountered stalkers before and had already seen this individual prior to her second-round match. Thus, spotting him in the stands during her match greatly affected her.
Raducanu is set to return to the courts at the 2025 Indian Wells Open, where she faces a challenging draw. In the first round, she will take on Moyuka Uchijima, and if victorious, her next opponent will be Coco Gauff.
Ahead of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, the 2021 US Open champion spoke with British media and shared more about the incident.
Raducanu recalled seeing the individual in the stands during her first match, expressing doubt about her ability to finish the match due to how unwell she felt.
She described the emotional toll it took on her, saying she struggled to breathe and could hardly see the ball through her tears.
“I was obviously very distraught. I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish.’ I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe. I was like, ‘I need to just take a breather.'”
Post-match, Raducanu admitted to crying—not because of the loss, but due to the overwhelming emotions associated with the experience.
“It was a very emotional time. 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. I feel a lot better.”
Fortunately, the 22-year-old feels much better now and is eager to return to winning form in Indian Wells. Raducanu has arranged for increased security during the tournament in the United States.
