Emma Raducanu’s evening took a dramatic turn on Tuesday in Dubai when she collapsed after spotting a stalker in the stands during her match against Karolina Muchva. Despite the distressing incident, Raducanu managed to compose herself and finish the first set, although she ultimately lost it. The match, which was interrupted by rain and rescheduled on track 2, ended with Muchva emerging victorious, 7-6 (6) and 6-4.
The stalker in question had previously approached Raducanu on Monday, following her win against Maria Sakkari in the initial round. After the tennis player reported the incident to the chair judge, security promptly removed the individual from the premises. As a precautionary measure, the WTA will distribute the stalker’s identity across all women’s circuit tournaments to prevent their entry. The organization has also released a statement, expressing its commitment to “actively working with Emma and her team to guarantee her well-being and provide her with the necessary support.”
The Dispossessed Queen
Raducanu, ranked 61st at just 22 years old, had received an invitation to participate in the 1000 category tournament. The British tennis player, who was once the highest-paid athlete globally after her US Open win in 2021, has since lost that title to American Coco Gauff. Moreover, China’s Qinwen Zheng has replaced Raducanu as the face of Christian Dior. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu remains a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world, and her resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to her strength and determination.
