Tennis star Emma Radukanu shed tears in the middle of a match in Dubai on Tuesday after seeing alleged stalkers in the crowd.
Video footage of the intrusive incident showed that 22-year-old Radukanu began showing signs of distress after playing against Karolina Mciba at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The 2021 US Open Champion proceeded towards the referee, exchanging several words, hiding behind the officials’ chairs, appearing to be trembling and crying.
She continued to hide herself while officials communicated about the transceiver. According to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the suspect was kicked out and “was banned from all WTA events where threat assessments are pending.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jetzo1wqko0
Radkanu was visibly shaken by experience. After a while, Muchová made her way to the other party to provide support. She cried and saw her comforting Radkanu while she tried to continue hiding behind the chair.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – February 18: British Emma Radukanu is fighting Karolina Machuba in the second round of the Dubai Tax-Free Tennis Championship. February 18, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo by Robert Plunge/Getty Images)
At one point in the video, she struggled to keep her calm, wiping tears with a towel. She showed the “first sequence” stalkers, considered the “first sequence” in the small venue, according to the WTA, while she was playing. This was not the first break-in for allegedly stalked tennis players. Radkanu met him earlier on Monday, but he “exhibitioned his elaborate behavior,” the organization said.
WTA statement regarding Dubai security incidents:
On Monday, February 17th, Emma Radukanu was approached in a public area by a man who showed staring behavior. This same individual was identified in the first sequence during Emma’s match at Dubai Tax-Free Tennis on Tuesday…
– WTA (@WTA) February 19, 2025
“Player safety is our number one priority and the tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” the statement said.
“The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide the support she needs,” the organization added. (Related: The SWAT team reportedly is involved in a standoff with Stalker.
Sources in Dubai I said Telephone that Radukanu identified the alleged stalker as the same suspect from Monday. He is said to have given her a letter back then. An additional source close to the issue said she had found him several times before. Security around the athletes had increased after the first incident.
This is not the first time Raducanu has said she is sneaking up. Authorities imposed a restraining order on a man who chased an athlete when she was a teenager in 2022. It has been reported. He visited her and her family’s home three times. The man told law enforcement that he was “attracted” by the tennis player “drawn to her famous position after a US Open victory.”
Radkanu left Dubai for London. The investigation was underway as of Wednesday. The athletes joined social media to thank the fans for their support shortly after the incident.
