British tennis star Emma Raducanu was seen in tears talking to the referee in her match at the Dubai championship on Monday over a spectator who “showed off fixed behavior.”
The incident took place in Raducanus’s second round match against Karolina Menthova. Broadcast caught the scared player standing in a small space between the back of the official’s chairman and the barrier network next to court 2.
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Emma Raducanu from the UK plays a forhand -baked for Iga Swatek from Poland during their third round match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday 18 January 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, File)
There was no immediate explanation of what happened. 2021 US Open winner eventually lost in straight sets to Mentova, 7-6 (6), 6-4.
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) released a statement Wednesday about the security incident.
“Emma Raducanu was contacted in a public area by a man showing fixed behavior,” the organization said. “This same person was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and then pushed out. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a panty -rating.
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Emma Raducanu of the United Kingdom responds during her fight against Amanda Anisimova from the United States of America in the second round of the women’s singles on 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025. (Mike Frey-Preferred Pictures)
“Player safety is our highest priority and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events. WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well -being and provide any necessary support. We remain obliged to collaborate with tournaments and their security teams all over the world to maintain a safe environment for all players.
Raducanu catapulted in the global limelight with his surprising Grand Slam victory as a teenager.
Emma Raducanu from the United Kingdom celebrates during his match against Amanda Anisimova from the United States of America in the second round of the women’s singles on 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025. (Mike Frey-Preferred Pictures)
She was still a teenager in 2022 when a man in Britain was convicted of pursuing her in her family home in 2021.
