Raducanu says she struggled to breathe during Dubai stalker incident

Emma Raducanu of Nice Britain reacts whereas taking part in in opposition to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic of their second spherical match of the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships on February 18, 2025
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photos

Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu mentioned she couldn’t see the ball via tears and was barely in a position to breathe after noticing a stalker throughout her match on the Dubai Championships two weeks in the past.

Raducanu seemed distressed throughout the opening set of her second-round conflict in opposition to Karolina Muchova and stood behind the umpire’s chair as safety personnel led the person out.

The 22-year-old then resumed the match and misplaced 7-6(6) 6-4.

“I used to be clearly very distraught,” Raducanu advised reporters in Indian Wells, the place she’s going to return for the primary time because the ordeal with enhanced safety.

“I noticed him within the first sport of the match and I used to be like, ‘I do not understand how I’ll end’.

“I actually could not see the ball via tears. I may barely breathe. I used to be like, ‘I would like to simply take a breather’.”

Adopted throughout nations

Raducanu mentioned she had beforehand been approached twice off the courtroom in Dubai by the person, who was additionally current throughout her matches in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha in previous weeks.

She determined to drop the fees in opposition to the person who had been detained by Dubai Police. The person has since been banned from all WTA tournaments.

“It was a really emotional time,” added Raducanu, who took every week off earlier than returning to the tour.

“After the match I did break down in tears, however not essentially as a result of I misplaced. There was simply a lot emotion in the previous few weeks of the occasions occurring, and I simply wanted that week off to take a breather and are available right here.

“I really feel rather a lot higher.”

Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion who has slipped to 55 on the earth rankings because of type and health points, will play Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima within the first spherical of Indian Wells with a win making certain a match in opposition to third seed Coco Gauff.