DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Women’s Tennis Association reported Wednesday that Emma Raducanu’s emotional interruption during her second-round match at the Dubai Championships stemmed from a security concern. A man displaying “fixated behavior” prompted Raducanu’s tearful approach to the chair umpire and subsequent break in play.
Raducanu’s actions during Tuesday’s match, where she briefly spoke with the umpire before pausing near the official’s chair, were initially unexplained.
Following a short delay, Raducanu, who experienced stalking in 2021, resumed play at 2-0 down but ultimately lost 7-6 (6), 6-4 to Karolina Muchova.
The WTA’s Wednesday statement clarified that Raducanu was approached by a man exhibiting “fixated behavior” in a public area on Monday. This same individual was identified and subsequently removed from the stands during Tuesday’s match.
“He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.”
The chair umpire promptly notified tournament officials upon Raducanu reporting her concerns during the first set. Muchova offered Raducanu comfort during the interruption.
After briefly composing herself, Raducanu continued the match. She chose not to immediately address the incident.
The WTA confirmed its collaboration with Raducanu and her team to ensure her well-being and provide support.
Raducanu achieved significant recognition in 2021, winning the U.S. Open as a qualifier. Since then, she has faced challenges, including injuries and inconsistent tournament performance.