In the wake of a distressing incident involving Emma Raducanu at the Dubai Tennis Championships, fellow tennis stars have come forward to share their own harrowing experiences. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was brought to tears during her match against Karolina Muchova when a “fixated” fan was identified in the crowd. The WTA has since banned the man from all events pending a threat assessment.
The incident unfolded during the rain-delayed second-round match, with Raducanu approaching the umpire in tears at 2-0 in the first set. The match was temporarily halted while the fan was escorted away, and Raducanu was comforted by her opponent, Muchova. The WTA later revealed that the same individual had approached Raducanu in a public area earlier in the week.
Raducanu took to Instagram to thank her supporters and praised Muchova for her sportsmanship. She wrote, “Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.”
World number two, Iga Swiatek, commended the WTA’s swift action, stating, “I know the WTA banned this person from going on-site anywhere on any tournament. So I guess the reaction was pretty solid.” Swiatek highlighted the importance of player safety and shared her own close call with a fan in Poland.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva revealed the disturbing threats she has received online, often from sports bettors. “After every loss I think every player receives a bunch of hateful messages,” said the 17-year-old. She recounted a particularly menacing message she received at 14, which read, “Look around because I’m going to find you and I’m going to cut your arms.”
The issue of harassment is not new to women’s tennis. Legends like Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, and Martina Hingis have all faced stalkers, while Monica Seles was infamously stabbed on court in 1993. More recently, Petra Kvitova was attacked in her own home in 2016.
Swiatek and Andreeva emphasized the need for players to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures, such as delaying social media posts to avoid being tracked. The ongoing challenges highlight the importance of safeguarding athletes and ensuring a secure environment for competition.
As the tennis community rallies behind Raducanu, these shared experiences serve as a reminder of the dangers faced by public figures and the collective responsibility to protect their safety.
