Emma Raducanu says she ‘couldn’t see the ball through tears’ after fan encounter

Emma Raducanu, the one-time U.S Open champion, recently opened up about a harrowing experience she faced at the Dubai championships last month. The young tennis star revealed that she suffered a physical reaction after being confronted by a man who was fixated on her, leading to his detention by local law enforcement.

Raducanu, 22, shared her ordeal at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, her first tournament following the disturbing incident. She described feeling distraught and overwhelmed by the encounter, which affected her ability to focus on her match.

According to Raducanu, she first encountered the man during the initial game of the match, causing her to struggle with tears and difficulty breathing. The man’s fixation on her escalated to the point where he was detained by Dubai Police for approaching her, leaving her a note, taking her photograph, and causing distress during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Despite the traumatic experience, Raducanu opted to drop the charges against the unidentified man. Reports indicate that he had been seen at previous tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, displaying concerning behavior towards the tennis player.

This incident is not the first time Raducanu has dealt with stalking and harassment. In 2022, she was granted a five-year restraining order against a man in London who stalked her, visited her home uninvited, and left unwanted gifts when she was 19 years old.

The WTA took swift action following the Dubai incident, banning the man from all future tournaments pending a threat assessment. Raducanu expressed gratitude for the support she received during this challenging time and emphasized the emotional toll it took on her.

As she prepares to compete against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in her upcoming tournament, Raducanu remains resilient and focused on her tennis career. Her courage in speaking out about her experience sheds light on the importance of addressing stalking and harassment in sports and beyond.

The Associated Press contributed to this report, highlighting the significance of Raducanu’s story in raising awareness about the impact of fixated behavior on athletes. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage for the latest updates on Raducanu’s journey and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more insights into the world of sports.